João Grave is the new Director of Oenology and Operations at Quinta da Alorna

27/08/2025Quinta da Alorna, located in Almeirim, has announced the appointment of João Grave as Director of Oenology and Operations, marking a new cycle of innovation and reinforcement in the production of its wines of excellence. With vast experience in various wine-growing regions, João Grave's mission will be to consolidate the brand's presence on the national and international markets.

João Grave will lead the winery, Wine Creations and vineyard teams at the historic three-century-old estate in the Tejo, coordinating all stages of the process, from the harvest to the final production of the wines. With a degree in Agronomic Engineering and a Masters in Viticulture and Oenology from the Instituto Superior de Agronomia, João also brings international experience in wineries in Australia and the United States.
Before joining Quinta da Alorna, João worked for six years at Casa Santos Lima, in oenology and viticulture, and was Production Director at Montez Champalimaud, responsible for Douro and Vinho Verde wines. The General Manager of Quinta da Alorna, Pedro Lufinha, emphasises that this appointment reinforces the distinctive and balanced profile of the brand’s wines, especially given the versatility of the Tejo region.

João Grave expresses great motivation in representing a unique terroir and history, seeking to improve the profile of the wines so that consumers around the world recognise the identity of Quinta da Alorna. This change follows the departure of Martta Reis Simões, who spent more than 20 years as the estate’s Director of Oenology, and whom the company publicly thanked for her contribution.
With the integration of João Grave, Quinta da Alorna has internally structured the combination of the technical oenology area with the management of the winery’s operations, betting on a strategy of excellence and innovation for the coming years.