Cortes de Cima: A New Chapter Rooted in Respect for the Land
Cortes de Cima was born from the pioneering vision of a Danish-American couple, Carrie and Hans Jørgensen, who dared to plant Syrah in the heart of Alentejo. Today, under the leadership of Anna Jørgensen, the project has entered a new phase — one defined by ecological awareness, sensitivity, and a profound respect for the land.
As described by Julia Harding MW of the JancisRobinson.com team:
“The results are extraordinary in such a short time. And since some of these changes will have long-term implications, the future of Cortes de Cima looks even more promising.”
In the cellar: less intervention, more expression
The transformation at Cortes de Cima isn’t limited to the vineyards — it extends to the cellar, where, since 2020, a more natural and precise approach has taken root:
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Spontaneous fermentations with indigenous yeasts
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Dramatic reduction in the use of added SO₂
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Abandonment of new oak in favor of larger formats, stainless steel, cement, glass, and clayver
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Gentle infusion techniques rather than aggressive extractions
The result: fresher, purer, and more transparent wines — true reflections of their terroir.
A few of Anna’s “new toys”:
Visit from the Belcanto team (2 Michelin stars):
In the vineyards: selection, reduction and rebalancing
From her earliest involvement, Anna Jørgensen made a bold move: to reduce the vineyard area from 240 to 97 hectares.
This was not a retreat, but a strategic decision, guided by soil studies conducted by renowned consultant Pedro Parra. These studies helped identify the plots with true qualitative potential and long-term sustainability.
The remaining land was converted into olive groves, orchards, and forested areas — creating a more biodiverse and resilient agricultural system.
A limestone pit:
A granite pit:
A property with soul
Today, the transformation of Cortes de Cima is evident not only in the wines — which now express a new dimension of freshness and authenticity — but in the environment itself:
Donkeys, cows, geese, chickens, and sheep roam freely, fertilizing the soils and replacing herbicides and heavy machinery.
As Anna Jørgensen puts it:
"It’s not about following a recipe for quality wine, but about creating a more resilient, more human farm — one rooted in the long rhythms of the land."
In parallel, the team collaborates with Georg Meissner and Marco Simonit — world leaders in biodynamics and respectful pruning, respectively — to ensure longevity and balance in the vineyards.
Biodynamic wisdom: the influence of Georg Meissner
A key pillar of this transformation is the collaboration with Dr. Georg Meissner, one of the most respected figures in the world of biodynamic viticulture.
Since 2022, with his support, Cortes de Cima began transitioning to biodynamic practices:
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Natural preparations to strengthen soil and plants
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Vineyard management aligned with natural and cosmic rhythms
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A focus on the invisible life in the soil, promoting ecological balance instead of forced control
As Meissner says:
“Great wines, great products, come from healthy and vibrant farms.”
Who is Georg Meissner?
Biodynamic consultant for Alois Lageder (Alto Adige), researcher at the Geisenheim Institute, and trained in Montpellier, Meissner blends biodynamic philosophy with scientific rigor.
He is also a professor at Geisenheim and holds a PhD in biodynamic viticulture. He frequently lectures for organizations such as Biodivin and Demeter.
Since 2006, he has led comparative studies between conventional, organic, and biodynamic viticulture — confirming, both in the lab and in the glass, what many farmers already sensed: the vitality of the soil directly impacts the quality of the wine.
For Meissner, great wine begins long before harvest — it begins with listening to the land. And that is exactly what’s happening now at Cortes de Cima: observing, nurturing, and letting nature take the lead.
The Art of Pruning with Marco Simonit: Ensuring Vineyard Longevity
In a project guided by deep listening and a long-term vision, pruning plays a crucial role.
Since 2019, Marco Simonit — founder of Simonit & Sirch Vine Master Pruners and consultant to estates like Domaine de la Romanée-Conti — has worked closely with Cortes de Cima.
His method focuses on:
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Preserving old wood
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Eliminating aggressive cuts
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Planning for the long term
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Tailoring pruning to each individual plant
Why is pruning so important?
Pruning defines the vine’s architecture — how it grows, breathes, and protects itself. For years, industrial pruning practices caused early degradation of many vineyards, with harsh cuts and disregard for the plant’s vital structures.
Simonit’s approach is the opposite: gentle, respectful, and enduring.
The collaboration with Cortes de Cima has had immediate impact:
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More balanced, resilient, and longer-living vines
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Improved overall plant health
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A new culture of care and patience embedded in daily work
Working alongside the Simonit & Sirch team, a thorough study was conducted to assess the health of the existing vines — determining which could be preserved and which needed removal. The decision was based on identifying advanced-stage wood diseases, often caused by past aggressive pruning.
Pruning, once merely a technical task, has become a cornerstone of the project’s regenerative philosophy.
A vineyard that breathes time
Under Anna Jørgensen’s leadership, the involvement of figures like Marco Simonit and Georg Meissner is not about prestige — it is about embracing a vision where the vineyard is a living organism, cared for with patience and reverence.
With the right pruning, the right preparations, and the right ecosystem, the vineyard responds, flourishes — and moves us.
The wine, in turn, becomes the expression of this profound dialogue between humans, plants, soil, and time.
