The stunning field blend vineyards are located in the tiny isolated village of Santa Ovaia (where the winery is located) and harbour classic Portuguese "values" such as Fernão Pires, Bical, Malvasia-Fina and Encruzado among other varieties. The 500m altitude and the 45-65 year old vines on granitic soils give the wine both freshness and depth. The...
What a great label. It's worth a thousand words and captures at once what Dão really is. A wall made of granite, the rock of the mountains of the region and the figure of an old woman walking with the help of a cane but with great courage and determination. How better to describe the Portuguese countryside and the dedication of people like João Costa to...
Loureiro is the most important variety for the Vinho Verde region and in Paiva's hands it is celebrated. Portugal's first biodynamic winery doesn't stop its approach just there but takes a minimalist approach to the winery where it doesn't cloud its wines at all. He protects them by adding ground chestnut blossoms from his estate to the must, an idea that...
How can you find the perfect harmony in such a light wine? And yet this is the hallmark of Quinta da Palmirinha wines. Palmirinha Azal is a benchmark for the region, elegance of aromas, freshness, lightness but not lightness of style, and uniqueness in character. A wine for which it is difficult to put into words its aromatic and flavour dimension. It...
If anyone can care for and grow healthy grapes in a climate so heavily influenced by the Atlantic, it is none other than Fernardo Paiva. The pioneer of biodynamic farming in Portugal is a true phenomenon in the way he manages not only the vineyard but also his wines in the winery. Since 2007 he hasn't put in sulphites which he has replaced with his...
