Gloria Reynolds Cathedral Red 2005

The Reynolds family has been producing wines in Alentejo since 1850.

Alentejo became the definitive cradle for the Reynolds in Portugal and for Robert, the family patriarch. From this cradle came Robert's eldest son, Robert Rafael, and from him, Carlos.

Carlos has a first daughter named Gloria, Gloria Reynolds. In her honor, and of all his ancestors who lived in Alentejo, Julian, Gloria's son, produces a tribute wine to his mother - Gloria Reynolds.

The vineyard
Influenced by the microclimate of Serra de S. Mamede, in a place of immense beauty, lies Figueira de Cima, with two hundred hectares of meadows streaked with green, gold, and intense brown. Here, the view is filled with sky and mountain, the oaks and cork oaks are like flocks in the landscape. The forty hectares of vineyards are located at the top of the hill, which provides them with adequate and natural drainage and excellent sun exposure. The soils are schistose, and the difference in elevation produces a marked thermal variation between day and night, which favors the optimal ripening of the grapes.

The main varieties planted are the traditional ones of the region: Trincadeira, Aragonez, and Alicante Bouschet, the latter introduced to Portugal by the Reynolds family over a century and a half ago.

The winery
The winery is located in an old building, formerly used as a stable. Its reconstruction and transformation fully respect the original structure: thick stone walls, chestnut wood ceilings, and slate floor. It is the perfect place to produce excellent wine, with an average temperature below 20ºC and a good level of permanent humidity. Large French oak vats, specially made for this winery by the prestigious French cooperage Seguin Moreau, are used in the vinification process, just like the great “Chateaux.” During the harvest, each grape variety is handpicked in small quantities, then fermented in the vats by decantation, without pressing, in a completely manual process.

The wines
The aging of the wine is done by grape variety separately in French oak barrels from the same cooperage as the vats. The blending of the grape varieties takes place only before bottling the wine.

The winery has three wine brands representing the last three generations of the family: Gloria Reynolds, Julian Reynolds, and Carlos Reynolds. All of them are aged in barrels for at least a year. Additionally, they produce a fortified wine under the old family label Robert R. Reynolds, in the style of past dessert wines.