Port anD the Douro 123Quinta do Grifo
Poiares, 5180 Freixo de espada á cinta
Grade a
This is one of the most remote properties in the Douro, located on the so-called ‘Douro
Internacional’, facing Spain. Grifo, named after the local vultures, belongs to Rozès (Vranken
Pommery) and produces single-quinta Douro reds and vintage Ports under the Terras do
Grifo label from twenty-five hectares of vines with a high percentage of Sousão. There is a
small adega on the estate.
the ‘altos’
There is no official definition of the altos, the high land on either side of the Douro that
falls within the demarcated region. Most of the properties are small with little historical or
strategic significance. However, with the advance of unfortified Douro wines, a number
of vineyards have been planted, taking advantage of the cooler climate at higher altitudes.
White grapes (of which there is now a shortage following the widespread replanting in the
1980s and 1990s) benefit especially from the lower temperatures.
Quinta da Fonte Branca
5100 Lamego
Grade d/e
Right on the edge of the demarcated region above the city of Lamego, this property is Peter
Symington’s retirement project. Taking advantage of the altitude, white grapes Malvasia
Fina and Viosinho are planted for the Symington’s Douro white, Altano.
Quinta do Portal*
celeirós, 5060 sabrosa
tel. (351) 259 937 100
http://www.quintadoportal.com
Grade c
Originally named Confradeiro, this property belonged to Sandeman until 1991 when it was
bought (along with nearby Quinta do Casal de Celierós) by the Mansilha Branco family to
form Quinta do Portal (see pages 229). The Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza Vieira has built
a winery here and there is a hotel on the estate.
Quinta Casal da Granja
Granja, 5070 alijó
Grades c–F
This large, relatively flat property on the plateau or planalto near Alijó is the main vinification
centre for Real Companhia Vinicola (Royal Oporto). At an altitude of between 520 and
640 metres, 160 hectares of vineyard are largely used for the production of white Ports and
Douro wines. The vineyard is mostly planted with white grapes (Moscatel, Arinto, Fernão
Pires, Viosinho and Gouveio) and includes a small amount of Semillon which forms the
basis for a botrytis-affected, late-harvest wine called Granjó.