Quinta do Mouro invests in Eastern Europe exports

Estremoz-based vineyard Quinta do Mouro, which currently exports half of its production, is looking to boost its exports by investing in the Polish, Russian and Czech Republic markets, a company representative said last week.

Luís Louro said that the company, which produces top-quality wines and was recently awarded a Gold Medal in the ‘Concours Mondial de Bruxelles’, is already establishing contacts with Eastern Europe, with a view to launch exports to Poland, Russia, the Czech Republic and China.

“We intend to boost our wine sales to the outside market so that within two years we can be exporting 70 percent of production”, he added.

At present half of the company’s production is destined for the national market, specifically for Lisbon, the Alentejo and Madeira.

The company, which is owned by Miguel de Orduna Viegas Louro, father of Luís Louro, annually produces 120,000 bottles of wine, branded Quinta do Mouro, Casa dos Zagalos and Vinha do Mouro.

Quinta do Mouro’s wines have been widely distinguished with several national and international awards, the most recent of which, the ‘Concours Mondial de Bruxelles’, saw it compete against 7,000 other wines.

The next batch of Quinta do Mouro’s 2007 harvest will be launched on the market this month and is expected to fill 40,000 bottles.

Miguel de Orduna Viegas Louro planted the farm’s first vines in 1989, and currently covers 27 hectares. Grape varieties include Aragonez, Alicante Bouchet, Trincadeira, Cabernet Sauvignon and Touriga Nacional.

Located a little over one kilometre from Estremoz, Quinta do Mouro is a formidable property of 18th Century architecture, comprising among other features extensive gardens and woodlands.