Justino’s winery

Justino’s winery

Not a winery you can visit, but we can have a look inside Justino’s courtesy of these pictures and see what a very modern Madeira winery looks like.

Justino's estufas
Justino’s estufas for gently warming the wine as a key part of producing Madeira wine. This is how much of the younger Madeira wines are made. This process using modern equipment produces excellent quality wines that offer great value for money.  The images are courtesy of Broadbent Madeira wines
Madeira wine fermentation tanks (Broadent)
Madeira wine fermentation tanks (Broadbent). The beginning of the wine making process after the grapes have been de-stalked and pressed, the grape juice is fermented to turn it into alcohol,
Casks aging at Justino
Casks aging at Justino canteiro style. These wines are being gently warmed by the balmy climate of Madeira and are not subject to the estufagem process. The wines mature more slowly and are subject to a little more impact of the wood. Typically this process is used for Malvazia, Boal, Verdelho and Sercial grapes. However, Tinta Negra wines are also increasingly being made using this canteiro process.
Canteiro casks at Justino
Canteiro casks at Justino, where the suns gentle rays can be seen on the cask. Wines undergoing the canteiro style of maturation are left for many years to mature and naturally are much more expensive. At 10 years canteiro aged wines are very drinkable, but at 15 years and 20 years old the wine has developed greater depth and elegance. Age does make a difference. This is however, not to underplay the quality of young madeira wine. The young wines, well chilled can be very enjoyable as well.