Convento do Paraíso
The History
History and legend are in his name, which may have several origins, among them the fact that the advanced troops were established there during the Christian reconquest - "mate-mor" - or that there was a forest that belonged to the Moors.
As you can see in old documents, the name of this place was written Matta de Mooros. In the 12th century, after the conquest of Silves, the “Convento de Nossa Senhora do Paraíso” was built here, which lasted until the 19th century, and still preserves the main structure.
Quinta de Mata Mouros brings to our imagination more than a thousand years of enchanting legends and well-documented stories. An Oasis of freshwater springs, fertile lands and luxuriant vegetation, in a naturally dry area, situated on the left bank of the River Arade in the south of Portugal, near the mythical Xelb - one of the most opulent cities of Al-Andalus - today Silves .
The Wines
More recently, the owners of “Quinta de Mata Mouros” have taken on the challenge of producing a high quality wine that matches the best references of the main wine regions of Portugal.
A wine that would make the most of the unique and extraordinary conditions of the Quinta's "terroir" and the region's climate, maintaining the traditional winemaking processes, such as the press mill and the press, but with the latest technology.
In a long process of analysis and casting, begun in the year 2000, the potential of the territory and the microclimate of this region of Mediterranean characteristics were thoroughly evaluated. Guided by the goal of producing exceptional wines, a bet was placed on grapes that were never experimented before, which were planted on land that had remained virgin for more than eight centuries.
Thus, in January 2012, with the objective of exploring the potential of the Quinta de Mata Mouros vineyard, the "Convento do Paraíso" project started a partnership between the “Quinta” owners and the Soares family.
The 12 hectares of vineyard planted in 2000 and the modern winery are now under the responsibility of the winemaking and winemaking teams of Herdade da Malhadinha Nova. (Eng. Manuel Letras and Rui Venâncio - Viticultura) (Eng. Luís Duarte and Eng. Nuno Gonzalez - Enology).