Posts Tagged : Bruno Mendes

Quinta da Terrincha

Text Bruno Mendes

In Torre de Moncorvo, and more specifically in the Vilariça Valley near the National Road 102, the Quinta da Terrincha is located in the Douro Demarcated Region. It once belonged to the Counts of Pinhel and today is owned by the Seixas Pinto family who acquired it in the late twentieth century in a state of neglect.

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Quinta da Terrincha Aerial View – Photo Provided by Quinta da Terrincha | All Rights Reserved

This is a property with an area of over 300 hectares that has undergone a comprehensive redesign with the intention of not only monetize the investment, but also return all relevance and graciousness that Quinta da Terrincha had once had. Thus, the family proceeded to planting considerable expanses of vineyards and olive groves and invested on wine tourism having now a restaurant “Canto da Terrincha” and a hotel complex consisting of a hotel in the finishing phase and 15 rural tourism houses of typologies T1, T2 and T3.

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Quinta da Terrincha – Photo Provided by Quinta da Terrincha | All Rights Reserved

To the initial 50 hectares of vineyards planted with the grape varieties (Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Sousão, Gouveio, Viosinho, Rabigato and Arinto, among others) they added in 2016 another 13 hectares.

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Quinta da Terrincha white – Photo Provided by Quinta da Terrincha | All Rights Reserved

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Quinta da Terrincha red – Photo Provided by Quinta da Terrincha | All Rights Reserved

These are the grapes that give birth to the Quinta da Terrincha wines, namely Quinta da Terrincha red, Quinta da Terrincha white, Quinta da Terrincha Rosé and Quinta da Terrincha red Lote T13.

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Quinta da Terrincha Rosé – Photo Provided by Quinta da Terrincha | All Rights Reserved

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Quinta da Terrincha red Lote T13 – Photo Provided by Quinta da Terrincha | All Rights Reserved

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The Vineyards – Photo Provided by Quinta da Terrincha | All Rights Reserved

Besides the wine, the olive oil is another important investment of this Quinta. In total there are 80 hectares of olive groves with the varieties Verdeal, Cordovil, Cobrançosa, Madural. Quinta da Terrincha’s olive oil is the result of an organic production process, which benefits greatly from the climate and soil conditions of where the olive grove is planted.

Cheese is another highlight product of this Quinta. Quinta da Terrincha has its own production of Terrincho cheese, a protected designation of origin (DOP). The cheeses are produced in the Quinta’s cheese dairy and are 100% made of Churra da Terra Quente Transmontana ewes’ milk (also known as the Terrincha sheep), which are seen as excellent milk producers for the production of this unique cheese and much appreciated in the entire Portugal’s extent. The Terrincho cheese is a ripened cheese that undergoes a maturation of no less than 30 days to a maximum of 90 days, which originates the variant Terrincho Velho. In addition, they also produce fresh cheese and creamy cheese.

Other products of this Quinta are the vinegar, table grapes, olives, honey, pumpkins, among others.

In addition to the Vilariça Valley, Quinta da Terrincha also has a vast mountainous and steep area, totaling 80 hectares, where we can find waterfalls, mines, ponds, 20 hectares of poplars and a grove of oaks and junipers which is an important priority habitat of the Rede Natura 2000. All very well interconnected with walking trails that allow visitors to experience in fullness, and in a functional way, all the beauty of this Quinta. There, on top of the mountain, the view is wonderful and one can see the entire length of the Quinta, the Valley and all its surroundings.

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Quinta da Terrincha – Photo Provided by Quinta da Terrincha | All Rights Reserved

Taking now a closer look at the extent area dedicated to the wine tourism, with a total of 70 hectares, the Seixas family started in 2009 the recovery of all existing buildings having now 15 rural tourism houses of typologies T1, T2 and T3 totaling 30 rooms. Also, in finishing stage is a small hotel of charm in the Antigo Solar Oitocentista (Casa Mãe), which aims to provide the guests a comfortable stay while allowing them at the same time to enjoy all the rurality and rustic environment that characterizes the Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro region.

All of this is complemented by the “Canto da Terrincha” restaurant with capacity for 40 people, and whose motto is “every customer is a friend!” The aim is to offer customers a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere so they can enjoy the most the typical regional dishes. Food quality is guaranteed, since almost all products that are available and are used in the restaurant are from the Quinta itself, sporting a certificate of organic farming.

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Quinta da Terrincha – Photo Provided by Quinta da Terrincha | All Rights Reserved

Some of the specialties that you may try at this restaurant are the posta de vitela (veal), costeleta de vitela (veal chop), alheiras, kid, river fish (bogas), cod in the oven, octopus “drowned” in olive oil, among others. Finally, between the many desserts there is a very special one, the delicious Terrincho cheese with pumpkin jam.

If you haven’t been there yet, Quinta da Terrincha is undoubtedly a Quinta to get to know whether it be accompanied by your partner, family or friends, and let yourself go by its wine, gastronomy and surrounding environment!

Contacts
Quinta da Terrincha – Sociedade Agrícola, S.A.
Quinta da Terrincha, Estrada Nacional 102
5160-002 Adeganha – Torre de Moncorvo
Portugal
Tel: (+351) 279 979 525
E-mail: geral@quintadaterrincha.pt
Website: www.quintadaterrincha.pt

Lusovini – Production and Distribution

Text Bruno Mendes

Lusovini was founded in 2009 and is based in Vila de Nelas in the Dão. This is where its offices, warehouses and wineries are located. This company has been developing its business through an internationalization policy. The company has expanded its horizons to Angola, Mozambique and Brazil under the names Lusovini Angolaa, Mozamvini and Brasvini, respectively.

In addition to the own production in the various Portuguese wine regions of brands like Cativo (Vinho Verde DOC), Palavrar (Douro DOC) and Torre de Coimbra (Bairrada DOC) among others, Lusovini also bets on a network of partnerships with producers and oenologists such as Anselmo Mendes (Vinho Verde), Domingos Alves de Sousa (Douro), Luís Duarte (Alentejo), Álvaro de Castro and João Paulo Gouveia (Dão) among others, thus allowing it to cover a wider range of regions and target audience.

To find out more about this production/distribution company see the video below:

Quinta de la Rosa – in the heart of Alto Douro

Text Bruno Mendes

Near Pinhão, about 100kms from Porto and on the river banks of the Douro we can find Quinta de la Rosa, which is owned by the Bergqvist family since 1906. It currently has 55 hectares of vineyards with the red grape varieties Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Cão and Souzão and the white grape varieties Viosinho, Rabigato and Códega.

In 2011 Quinta de la Rosa underwent a complete refurbishment, which was being prepared for 7 years and ended in 2012. This remodeling included a new wine cellar, storage facilities with controlled temperature, an improvement in unloading and grape selection facilities, among others.

For a more detailed view of this producer see the video below and see the previously published article here.

Grupo Enoport United Wines

Text Bruno Mendes

The history of Enoport begins in 1881 with the foundation of Adegas Camillo Alves, the oldest company of the group of companies that came to give rise to the Group Enoport United Wines. It arose from João Camillo Alves’ desire to trade quality wines in an organized way.

It is a group that produces wines in several regions of the country, and different ranges, since it has acquired several other companies over the years, such as Cavipor, Caves Velhas or Caves Acácio.

To get a more detailed view about the history of the Group Enoport United Wines see the video below.

Cortes de Cima – Vidigueira

Text Bruno Mendes

It was in 1988, in Vidigueira, near the Serra do Mendro and specifically in Cortes de Cima that Hans and his wife Carrie decided to settle in order to start a family and to plant a vineyard. In 1991 the first vines were planted and the option, contrary to what would be expected, fell on red grape varieties. Among them, and “against” the DOC regulations at the time, was the Syrah, which achieved such success that led to the amendment of these regulations.

The property consists of 400 hectares, of which 140 are planted vineyard, 112 with the red varieties Aragonês, Syrah, Touriga Nacional, Petit Verdot, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet and Cabernet Sauvignon, and 28 hectares with the white varieties Antão Vaz, Alvarinho, Verdelho, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Gouveio e Chardonnay.

To get to know more about the history of Cortes de Cima see the video below and stay tuned for our upcoming article next week.

Quinta dos Carvalhais – Dão Wines

Text Bruno Mendes

Quinta dos Carvalhais is a Sogrape brand expert in Dão wines. It was acquired in 1988 from the perspective of expansion of a project in the region, which had begun in 1957. It is located in Mangualde and has 105 hectares, 50 of which with vines with noble regional grape varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Alfrocheiro, among others.

The head winemaker is Manuel Vieira and at modern winemaking center they produce the wines Quinta de Carvalhais Único, Reserva, Colheita, Encruzado and other varietals, Colheita Tardia e Espumante Reserva Rosé, exclusively using its own grapes, combining experience with state of the art techniques . Here, they also produce the wines Duque de Viseu white and red, in this case combining own grapes with grapes purchased from local producers.

To get to know Quinta dos Carvalhais in more detail, see the video below and read João Barbosa’s article here:

Justino’s – Madeira Wine

Text Bruno Mendes

Madeira is an important part of the portuguese wine history. One of its many stories goes back to 4th of July, 1776, when it was present in the independence of the United States toast.

Harvests in Madeira are not easy and at Justino’s, a Madeira wine-producing company, founded in 1870, they seek to pick the right time to harvest the grapes and select only those that best fit the wine to be made. From dry to sweet, it’s important to choose the right time to stop fermentation and at Justino’s they don’t stop on their experience and knowledge, focusing on a constant improvement of its facilities and equipment, thereby enhancing the quality of its production, complementing the traditional methods with the latest technologies available to this sector.

For a more detailed view, see the video below:

Cockburn’s Port

Text Bruno Mendes

It was in 1815 that the two Scottish brothers (already with a successful business), Robert and John Cockburn, decided to set up a branch in Porto, known as R & J Cockburn’s. Cockburn’s managed to build an outstanding reputation on Vintage Port and the records demonstrate it, in the early twentieth century they were leading  the auction houses in London with the highest prices.

Like all the early Port wine companies, Cockburn’s has seen its name change, in this case to Cockburn’s & Co, a name that persists to this day. The family grew with the addition of other families such as the Wauchopes, the Smithes, the Teages and Cobbs.

Ten years ago, in 2006, Symington acquired Cockburn’s, thus becoming again the property of only one family.

For a more detailed view you can watch the video below.

Casa Ferreirinha – History and Art

Text Bruno Mendes

Founded in the eighteenth century by Bernardo Ferreira, the Casa Ferreirinha was acquired in 1987 by Sogrape. The wines produced by this house and the house itself are synonymous with history and art. An essential figure in the history of this company is, undoubtedly, Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira who, with her entrepreneurial spirit, refined the company’s formula and consolidated it.

Sogrape has been able to respect and preserve all the historical and cultural heritage that Casa Ferreirinha implies and has always kept up to the present day, but allowing the company to suit the innovation and the present. The company has several wine ranges, such as Vinha Grande, Esteva, Papa Figos, Planalto, Callabriga, Reserva Especial, Quinta da Leda, AAF and, of course, the legendary Barca Velha.

To get to know the history of this house a little better, see the video below:

Morgadio da Calçada – Unique tradition and history

Text Bruno Mendes

In the late seventeenth century Jerónimo da Cunha Pimentel ordered the construction of Morgadio da Calçada House, which is located in Provesende and is one of the most ancient manor houses in this location. It opened to the public in the 90s and has played an important role in the development of the region, but without ever losing its identity.

Provesende is inserted in the Douro region (classified as World Heritage by UNESCO) and is one of six villages classified of the Douro Valley. The Morgadio da Calçada wines have Dirk van der Niepoort’s signature and are born of the green plateau which contrasts with the rest of the Douro wine region.

For a more detailed view see the video below.