Fitapreta

VISIT THIS PRODUCER'S WEBSITE
LOCATE ON GOOGLE MAPS
VISIT IMPORTER'S WEBSITE
Country of Origin: Portugal
Location: Igrejinha, Alentejo
People: António Maçanita, Owner & Winemaker

Items

Fitapreta 2022 Branco Ancestral, Vinho Regional Alentejano Login In Stock
Fitapreta 2023 Branco Ancestral, Vinho Regional Alentejano Login
Fitapreta 2020 'Carta da Fitapreta' Tinto, Vinho Regional Alentejo Login In Stock
Fitapreta 2021 Tinto, Vinho Regional Alentejano Login WA 90 In Stock
Fitapreta 2022 'A Touriga Vai Nua' Touriga Nacional, Vinho Regional Alentejano Login In Stock
Fitapreta NV 'A Laranja Mecanica' Vinho Regional Alentejano Login WA 90 In Stock



Media Links
The Beverage Journal: Sexy Sells Portugal Fita Preta Wines
Jamie Drummond: Episode 25 - David Booth
Good Food Revolution: Episode 167 - The New Face of Portugal
Good Food Revolution: Episode 301 - Great Red Wines from a Man in Red Trousers? Revisiting Fita Preta
Up Magazine: The Winemaker Who Loves a Challenge
The Wine Detective: António Maçanita - Born to Stand Out

Social Media
Twitter: @AntonioMacanita

Fitapreta is the culmination of a partnership between a young, dynamic Portuguese winemaker and a British-born viticulturist, dedicated to a new examination of terroir in the Alentejo. Winemaker António Maçanita returned home to his native Portugal after winemaking stints in Napa, Australia and France, most notably Château Lynch-Bages. David Booth, the viticulturist, was already well established in Portugal when they began work together in 2004.

Fitapreta operates on the intuition when it comes to their viticulture and winemaking. With this trust of the land and the natural growth process of the vineyard, they are able to make wines that are imbued with a singular sense of place. They operate on a strictly gravity-fed basis in the winery to avoid any harsh treatment of the must. All wines are spontaneously fermented with indigenous yeast. Small parcels of each vineyard are fermented separately to preserve distinct stylistic qualities. These are then blended to achieve a layered, complete picture of the terroir.

About António Maçanita: António Maçanita is one of the leading Portuguese winemakers of his generation, crafting wines which are constantly recognized in the most prestigious competitions and publications. Antonio is also a consultant winemaker for over 13 other wineries in Portugal through his consultancy company Wine ID. Dynamic and restless (as the critics describe him), he loves a good challenge and has developed several wine projects in unlikely regions, using previously unheard of grape varieties that have now become notable success stories.

Born in 1979, he got in contact with grapes at the tender age of 4, playing in the vineyards during harvest, drinking fresh juice from tanks and stepping on grapes at a cousin’s winery. Aged 18, Antonio’s life was more about “spear fishing and surf” than studying. He initially planned to study Marine Biology but a teacher convinced him to pick Agronomic Sciences, a more generic science degree that could be used as a basis for further studies. He applied for the course but somehow he got the codes wrong and ended in Agro-Industrial Engineering, that includes winemaking. So it was that a quirk of fate led Antonio down the path of winemaking.

At university his enthusiasm for vineyards was immediate, getting him involved with a plantation in the Azores, followed by working tours in Napa Valley first at Merryvale Vineyards (2001) and later at the Rudd Estate (2002). Having finished his degree, he worked at D’Arenberg, in Australia (2003) before deciding that her needed to move to the mecca of traditional winemaking, France. So he cut a deal with a French rugby club, playing for them and in return they would find him a placement at a local wine producer. While waiting for confirmation António completed a harvest in what was to become a reference wine producer in Portugal, Malhadinha Nova. The news that he had a job in France came through, and off he went to Château Lynch-Bages in Bordeaux (2003). In 2004, he returned to Portugal at the age of 24 and together with David Booth he started Fitapreta, that soon produced its first wine and, soon after that, its first trophy. Consultancy work followed and by the age of 25 he was consulting for 5 wineries.

About David Booth (1965-2012): Born in England, David was an army officer for seven years, reaching the rank of Captain of the Green Jackets. After, he studied Agriculture and Management at the Royal Agricultural College Cirencester, which led him to mine clearing in Mozambique and wildlife protection in Kenya. Afterwards, Booth studied viticulture at UC Davis and became a disciple of Richard Smart in Portugal.

He became a vineyard consultant to various wine producers such as: Lyma Mayer, Terras de Alter, Azamor, Vida Nova (Cliff Richards), Arrepiado Velho… to name just a few. In 2004 he founded with António the Fitapreta project, which he gave priority in a professional life already so full. David was 47 when he died of a heart attack.

Wine Advocate 7/31/2020
"This is a fine operation helmed by António Maçanita, one of Portugal's growing stars."

Reviews

  • Fitapreta NV 'A Laranja Mecanica' Vinho Regional Alentejano
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 90 (10/14/2021)

    The 2020 a Laranja Mecânica is basically an orange wine, although classified as a "curtimenta," referencing skin contact with the juice. It is a field blend of typical grapes (like Arinto, Roupeiro, Verdelho, Antão Vaz, Alicante Branco and Fernão Pires) from vines ranging from 25 to 50 years in age. It comes in at 12.5% alcohol. A rather gentle and understated orange wine, this is beautifully balanced this year. Then, it adds dried peaches and apricots on the finish. It's still a bit different and not for everyone, not exactly your typical white, but it doesn't go overboard in power or eccentricity. It's well done this year, but it is certainly something you will need to drink with a food pairing. It should hold reasonably well, but I'd drink this on the younger side, no matter how longer it theoretically lasts.
  • Fitapreta 2021 Tinto, Vinho Regional Alentejano
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 90 (6/30/2023)

    The 2021 Tinto is a typical blend (specific information was not available this time around) aged in a mixture of barrels and stainless steel. It comes in at 14.5% alcohol. A rather substantial offering in its own right these days, this is a fine follow-up to the big and fruity 2019. It might even be better in time; we'll see. It seems impeccably well balanced, shows fine depth, beautiful fruit and still has hints of finesse. The tannins are ripe, making this easy to enjoy now, but that doesn't mean this is at peak. For the regular Tinto in this sometimes pricey lineup, this is a steal and a fine value point. It's a great choice for a house pour. It's less clear how brilliantly it will age, but it should hold a reasonable time and can still improve.