Our Production Facilities in Portugal

M.A. Silva entered the wine cork market in 1972. During the last forty years, the company has grown to become one of the most technically advanced, quality-focused and environmentally conscious organizations in the industry. Our staff, in collaboration with researchers across Europe and the United States, has developed some of the most technically advanced cork processing facilities and equipment in use today. Our efforts, a combination of forest management, technology, processes and training, has all but eliminated TCA and other off-aromas. More than simply removing chemical impurities, our facilities maximize the beauty and performance of the natural cork.

The M.A. Silva operations in Portugal continue to play an active role in the protection of the World’s cork forests. Our local efforts with the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) Council, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)and related World Wildlife Fund (WWF) activity, have in part advanced the ecologically sound management techniques used throughout the cork oak growing regions. As a testament to the success to this effort, not only are our cork forests thriving, but the total acreage of harvestable trees is expanding year over year.

M.A. Silva operates several processing facilities in Portugal. Our Alter do Chão plant, M.A. Silva 3, is located deep inside the cork forests of the Alentejo region. The proximity to the cork forests allows for immediate control of the seasoning conditions and minimizes green house gas emissions due to transportation. This facility contains our state of the art Dynavox^® raw corkwood processing system. Separate installations then convert the seasoned cork slabs into either natural corks or agglomerate corks. M.A. Silva 1 creates our natural corks, while M.A. Silva 2 produces our Silktop, Pearl and Sparkling Wine technical and agglomerate cork products. From the forest forward, vertical integration ensures that corkwood is tested and verified to meet the mandated quality levels from the moment it is harvested, through every phase of production.

M.A. Silva believes third party verification of our processes and quality drives predictable and repeatable performance. Our organization meets or exceeds the quality levels set by the leading European cork standards bodies, APCOR, C.E. Liege, and Systecode. We produce and deliver the finest natural wine cork available, helping you produce your best wine, case after case. Learn more about our quality and certifications.