People

Hans Kristian Jorgensen

Winegrower and Winemaker

Both the grapegrower and head winemaker at Cortes de Cima. Born in Skals, Denmark, he took his degree in mechanical engineering before leaving his native country for the East, and spent the next 23 years in Malaysia as engineer for a Danish plantation company, United Plantations. There he worked with a great variety of tropical commodities, including palm oil, coconut oil, cocoa and tea. While in Malaysia, Hans followed the company tradition of flying, private airplanes being the best means of getting around plantations surrounded by tropical jungle.

He keeps this tradition alive at Cortes de Cima, using his Cessna aircraft for aerial observation and visiting his vineyards.

Carrie Jorgensen

Marketing and PR

Responsible for administration and marketing. A Californian born girl, Carrie grew up in the San Francisco bay area, and studied Economics at UC Berkeley, before moving to Malaysia where she met Hans. Since the early days of Cortes de Cima she has been actively involved in both production and sales of our horticulture products.

Pioneer in Portugal of selling online direct from the winery.

António Cláudio

Assistant Manager

Tel. 961 351 901

Skype asclaudio7

Email claudio@cortesdecima.pt

Graduated in agro-industrial, engineering by the Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Lisboa, António collaborates in the areas of viticulture, winemaking and olive oil production since 2003.

After several professional experiences that have taken him to the “four corners of the winemaking world” . Australia, USA, Argentina and Chile. Today he apply all his knowledge together with the family Jorgensen.

José Eduardo Jorge Silva

Public Relations & IT Manager

Tel. 284 460 067

Skype joseejsilva

Email jose@cortesdecima.pt

I was born in the mid 60’s, falling in love with the music and culture of the era. I am staunch supporter of new technologies and the use of the Internet, both as a work tool and as a leisure activity. I love to travel, eat well, and drink even better; and above all, I love to be an ambassador of Portugal by spreading the word as to what we have to offer. I am a simple person, without pretension, and I like to share those things that one could consider priceless and which make the Portuguese a separate breed: the capability to welcome people with true friendliness and open arms.

Hamilton Reis

Winemaker

Tel. 284 460 066

Skype hamilton.reis.dias

Email hamilton@cortesdecima.pt

I was born and raised in Oporto city, among the steep streets of downtown with Port wine cellars and shops. But when I was home, my passion was plants and their growth. I took this passion and in 1998 graduated in Agricultural Production Engineering. Later, working in sales and distribution of wine, I grew a true passion for the beverage. I changed my path took a second degree in Microbiology, graduated in 2005 in the Portuguese Catholic University. I’m currently complementing these diplomas with a post-graduation in Enology in the same University.

Since 2004 I had the opportunity of working non-stop in wineries both in Alentejo and Australia. I fondly remember each year and vintage, for they gave me knowledge and know-how of this fine science of wine making.

Now, as winemaker of Cortes de Cima, everyday I combine these factors with our team and bring the vision of the Jorgensen family to life…

Hugo Almeida

Winemaker

Tel. 284 460 066

Email hugo@cortesdecima.pt

I grew up in Santa Maria da Feira, where most of the cork factories are located. From knowing the secrets of making a perfect cork stopper I grew a passion for wine precociously.

I graduated in Enology by the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro in 2001. For some years I worked in Trás-os-Montes and Estremadura, where I helped to produce some of the best white, red and Port wines of the region. I recently arrived in Alentejo, where I’m willing to help produce some of the best national wines. The winery is my natural habitat. I feel really privileged to exercise my true calling.

The apples of my eye are at home, they are my family, essentials to my happiness. I value simplicity, the company of my friends with a bottle of good wine to make a perfect moment.

Patrícia Guerreiro

Office Manager and Accounts

Tel. 284 460 069

Email patricia@cortesdecima.pt

Sara Amado

Sales/Marketing Assistant

Tel. 284 460 062

Skype sara.amado

Email sara@cortesdecima.pt

Cristina Ferrão

Asst Winemaker

Tel. 284 460 066

Skype cristina.ferrao

Email cristina@cortesdecima.pt

I was born in Lisbon, but grew up in Sintra, that enchanting village listed as World Heritage. Throughout high school I aimed to major in Health, but destiny (perhaps even the god of wine himself!) proclaimed that I should walk towards the vineyards and meet the nectar of the gods. And so I graduated in Enology in the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro. My graduation ‘internship’ was in Research, in the National Institute for Agronomic Research. My works thesis was on “Research of Resveratrol and other stilbene derivatives in wines - optimization of an HPLC method.”

My first work as a winemaker assistant was in the north of Portugal, in the region of ‘Vinho Verde’, but I dreamt of reaching beyond the mountain ranges of the north. The plains… the Alentejan plains where so many special wines are born. And I am proud to say that I belong to a team as special as the wines we make.

Helena Sardinha

Asst Winemaker

Tel. 284 460 066

Skype helenasardinha

Email helena@cortesdecima.pt

I was born in Portalegre, in High Alentejo, in 1981, but it was in Ribatejo, more precisely in Coruche, that I and my family created our roots and it´s this the place that I call “home”. However, when someone asks me where I belong to, my proper doubt persists. I like to say in a joyful way, that I have a gipsy life…and I like it. The best is to be citizen of the world, in this case, citizen of the wine world.

It was in Instituto Superior de Agronomia, in Lisbon, where I got graduated in Agronomic Engineer, that I got connected irreversibly with the vine and the wine. I knew already that I wanted to do something near to the land. It was the vintage trainings (in Portugal and Australia), the wine tastings, the admiration I developed for the vine and my passion by all gastronomy themes that indicated me the way.
And so, here I am, working in Cortes de Cima, doing what I like the most: helping to do wine. Allow me some lack of humble: helping to do a very good wine.

Sérgio Fialho Cândido

Stock

Tel. 284 460 061

Skype sergio.m.candido

Email sergio@cortesdecima.pt

Rui Pires

Stock

Tel. 961 549 476

Skype rui-m-pires

Email rui@cortesdecima.pt

Joaquim José Dias Pereira

Cellar Master

Bjarne Otto

Danish Chef

Chef Bjarne Otto, has a long culinary history at renowned Copenhagen restaurants, such as Kong Frederik, Plaza Hotel, A Hereford Beefstow, Bregnerød Kro, and Restaurant Pinafore, Admiral Hotel (where he was co-owner/head chef in the 80s).

In 1992 he moved to Portugal, where he and his wife Gitte, ran their own restaurant (No Patio) in Lagos until 2005, achieving a listing in the Guide Michelin. He is now using his master skills to transform local alentejan ingredients into delectable wine and food pairing experiences at our winery tasting room.

Nuno Borges

Press releases and publicity

Anna Sofie Blincoe

Artist

Karen´s daughter Anna paints the beautiful illustrations used on our labels. She´s a successful fine artist living in Copenhagen.

Karen Sofie Blincoe

Designer

Anna´s mother Karen has been our label designer from the beginning. Karen who studied graphic design in England, has had her own design company in England and in Denmark. She has also worked for the Danish Design School in Copenhagen. Karen is Hans´first cousin. She has recently been appointed director of the Schumacher College. Karen now works full time for her ‘pet cause’ - sustainability