Port anD the Douro 99Quinta da Água Alta
Ferrão, 5060 sabrosa
Grade a
Água Alta (meaning ‘high water’) is one of a number of estates belonging to the Borges de
Sousa family. A photograph from the Beleza collection dating from 1927 shows the property
still virtually abandoned following phylloxera, with mortórios covering most of the slope.
Although much of the vineyard has subsequently been replanted on patamares, the buildings
of the quinta are traditional and largely unrestored. A huge wooden beam press remains in the
adega. Sheltered by a fold in the hillside, the local climatic conditions here are hot and Quinta
da Água Alta produces a rich, full bodied style of Port which is bought by Churchill.
Quinta Nova Nossa Senhora do Carmo
Ferrão, 5060 sabrosa
http://www.quintanova.com
Grade a (hotel)
Named after a small chapel built on the site in 1795, Quinta Nova (as it is known for short)
was purchased by Port shippers Burmester in 1991 and currently belongs to the Amorim
family. The quinta has been extensively restored and now produces its own wines as well as
being a hotel and restaurant.
Quinta do Panascal*
Valenca do douro, 5120-496 tabuaço
tel. (351) 254 732 321
http://www.fonseca.pt
Grade a
Facing south-west in the narrow lower reaches of the Távora valley, Panascal is one of a
famous trio of quintas belonging to Fonseca. The company only acquired the quinta in 1978
but Panascal had been an important component in Fonseca’s vintage blend for the previous
twenty years. In 1985 they bought the adjoining property, Quinta do Val do Muros, taking
the estate to 78 hectares, 51 of which are planted with vines. The Távora valley is hot and
sheltered and the wines are prized for their solid backbone and concentration. The steep
vineyard was extensively replanted on patamares during the 1980s but a small area of vertical
planting was carried out towards the top of the property. Quinta do Panascal is one of few
properties in the Douro that is equipped to welcome passing visitors who are given an
audio-visual tour. It is well signposted from the main Pinhão–Régua road.
Quinta do Convento de São Pedro das Águias*
tavora, 5120 tabuaço.
tel. (351) 254 787 004
http://www.quintadasheredias.com
Grade c/B
Situated in the narrow Tavora valley on the southern margins of the demarcation, São Pedro
das Águias does not really feel like the Douro. There is more granite than schist and the