Terra d'Alter

The Alentejo is the most southerly Portuguese region from which we buy wine, with the attendant risk of excessive heat. But that is not to reckon with the instincts and 35-year experience of Peter Bright, the celebrated Australian who is one of the founding partners of this young estate. One of the first of the “Flying Winemakers”, he has been settled in Portugal for many years now and arguably has more experience of the country’s varied vineyards than anyone else, allied to a top-notch technical know-how. He liked the soils of this corner and planted his flag here, with a view to making good value, modern wines from indigenous varieties. He has succeeded with a vengeance, so you can find in this range a brilliant collage of single varietal wines at very modest prices that offer you a fascinating view of some of Portugal’s most interesting varieties.

Producer:	Terra d'Alter
Country:	Portugal
Region:	Alentejo
Subregion:	Alto Alentejo
City of Origin:	Fronteira
Date Founded:	2004
Owner Name:	Roquette and Borges Family and Peter Bright
Vineyard Size:	90 HA
Total Annual Production:	900,000 bottles

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Property History:

Terras de Alter was founded in 2004 as a joint venture between Sociedade Agrícola das Antas and Sociedade Agrícola do Monte Barrão, family firms with centuries of agricultural history in Alto Alentejo, in cooperation with Peter Bright, world renowned oenologist.

Owner History:

Roquette and Borges families have been in the farming business in this area for years. In the late 19th century, grapes grown on the ridge of Boavista Vineyard produced a “strong” wine sold under the brand “Visconde de Alter”. The descendants of the 19th century vintners, Borges Family, decided to replant the vineyards,restarting the production of great wines As one of the world’s most experienced and well recognized wine makers, Peter Bright brings his talents to Terras de Alter as head winemaker and business partner. After studying oenology in his native Australia, Peter came to Portugal in 1981 to hone his craft. By 1993, he was known as one of Australia’s first 'flying winemakers’, travelling first through Europe and then branching out to other continents.