Lima Mayer is a family project born from a passion for creating high-quality wines.
After a career in business management, Thomaz Lima Mayer decided in 2002 to put his academic background in Agronomy and Viticulture into practice. He began by planting the vineyard, taking the first step toward fulfilling a long-held dream.
The wines are produced at the Quinta de São Sebastião, a historic estate located in Monforte, in the heart of Portugal’s Alto Alentejo region. Once owned by the Marquis of Praia and Monforte, this property was part of one of the most prestigious agricultural estates in the region. The estate sits on a hill with deep historical roots, with archaeological remains dating back to the Bronze Age and successive occupations during the Roman and Visigothic periods. Later, it became home to a religious agricultural community that built the Ermida de São Sebastião, a small chapel still standing today.
The estate features gently rolling hills and granite soils, and is largely covered by oak and cork forests, dotted with rocky outcrops. Two streams cross the property, providing essential water resources and enhancing its natural beauty. Classified as a game reserve, the estate is also a biodiversity haven, sheltering both common and rare species such as the great bustard, little bustard, and gambo.
The vineyard spans 20 hectares and includes a carefully selected mix of Iberian and French grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Alicante Bouschet, and Aragonez. Planted in sectors according to slope and soil composition, the vines are meticulously managed, including drip irrigation tailored to each parcel’s characteristics.
Natural conditions — rustic soils, water scarcity, and large temperature variations between day and night in summer — lead to low yields but result in grapes of exceptional quality, rich in aromas and flavors, essential for producing wines with true identity.
Harvesting is done by hand, with rigorous grape selection on a sorting table. The grapes then undergo a cold shock before fermentation, which takes place in modern stainless steel tanks with temperature control. The winery also features lagares and truncated-cone vats, known for their positive impact on wine quality.
Aging takes place in carefully selected French oak barrels, which provide structure, smooth the tannins, and add a final touch of elegance and complexity to Lima Mayer wines.
