Port anD the Douro 91extending to the Douro Superior in the east. Wines from quintas that have become important
exporters in their own right are covered in more detail in Chapters 6 and 7.
In order to encourage tourism in the Douro, a number of official entities came together
in the 1990s to promote the Port Wine Route. Modelled on the French idea of the route
du vin (although operated without any of the Gallic flair and efficiency) some quintas are
now open to visitors. Apart from Fonseca’s Quinta do Panascal and Sandeman’s Quinta
do Seixo, most properties require an appointment. The quintas that form part of the Port
Wine Route are indicated with * and contacts are given below. The grading system of
Douro vineyards (Grades A – I ) is explained in detail earlier in this chapter.
From Barqueiros to the mouth of the corgo
The most westerly and historically the most accessible part of the Douro region, this is
also the coolest and wettest part of the Douro with annual rainfall averaging in excess of
900mm. It is mostly made up of smallholdings but there are some historic quintas dating
from the eighteenth century or even earlier. Job Beasley’s first vineyard was located at Lugar
das Lages, Salgueiral, where Taylor’s maintained a production centre until the mid-1990s.
His hieroglyphics, including Taylor’s 4XX (an old wool mark), can still be seen on the Casa
dos Alambiques. In the mid-nineteenth century Ferreira built up a large holding in the area.
Mostly graded C or below, many of these Baixo Corgo quintas have come to prominence in
recent years as producers of Douro wine.
Quinta do Côtto
cidadelhe, 5040-154 Mesão Frio
tel. (351) 254 899 269
http://www.quintadocotto.pt
Grade c
One of the most impressive estates in the Baixo Corgo, Quinta do Côtto was among the first
properties to export their own Port, taking advantage of the change in legislation from 1986
onwards. The fine eighteenth-century house is now the headquarters for shippers Montez
Champalimaud and has been restored to receive paying guests as turismo de habitação (see
pages 94 and 236).
Quinta das Caldas/Quinta da Estacão
Fontelas, 5050-023 caldas do Moledo
tel. (351) 259 372 440
Grade c
Situated just above the charming but run-down spa of Caldas de Moledo, Quinta das
Caldas (Caldas means ‘thermal spring’) was originally part of the Ferreira empire. This 22-
hectare south-facing property now belongs to Domingos Alves de Sousa and, along with
neighbouring Quinta de Estação, produces good Douro wine.