The Malápio Centenary Winery, in Bairrada, received an Honorable Prize in the Sustainable Development category of the 2026 Luso-French Awards, awarded by the Luso-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCILF). The ceremony took place on October 13, at a gala in SUD Lisboa. In the 32nd edition of the awards, this category evaluated projects that reduce the environmental footprint, promote biodiversity, and generate positive socio-economic impacts in the communities where they are located.
The winery distinguishes itself in the region by producing natural wines in centenary clay talhas (clay jars), without chemical additives or high-intervention technologies. The grapes come from a century-old vineyard of about one hectare, planted in the medieval manner, where several indigenous varieties grow mixed. They are hand-harvested and fermented in clay pots protected only with beeswax and pine resin. The project was created by Romeu Martins to honor the memory and craft of his grandfather, Aristides, a master potter of the region, and rests on a model of circular economy and conservation of the local ecosystem.
“This honorable prize is the validation that sustainability is not only about looking forward, but also about reclaiming what the past taught us at its best,” says the founder. “Producing talha wine in Bairrada with minimal intervention, preserving the original adobe walls of our winery and honoring the clayey soil of our land, is our way of protecting the environment and valuing our cultural heritage in the face of global climate challenges,” he adds.
According to the winery, the distinction reinforces its positioning as a niche producer of talha wines and as an example of sustainable and regenerative enotourism, with 31 experiences in the Bairrada region designed for contact with nature.
