124 Port anD the Douro
Quinta do Cidró
5130 são João de Pesqueira
Grades d–F
This undulating property on the outskirts of São João de Pesqueira was bought by Real
Companhia Velha (Royal Oporto) in 1972 having previously belonged to the family of the
Marquês de Soveral. The ostentatious white-painted palácio looks stark amidst 136 hectares
of vertically planted vineyards. Situated at an altitude of between 450 and 600 metres,
this property is considered too high for Port and most of the production is used for Real
Vinicola’s red and white Douro wines, much of it bottled under the name Cidró. Traditional
Douro varieties are planted alongside substantial quantities of international grape varieties
such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Semillon which seem to perform well at this
altitude.
Quinta da Nogueira
5130 são João de Pesqueira
no Grade
Formerly known as Quinta da Cismeira, Nogueirahas been transformed into an impressive
winery and wine lodge serving the Port houses of Taylor, Fonseca and Romariz. It is well-
placed alongside the São João de Pesqueira–Vila Nova de Foz Côa road, and at an altitude
of 640 metres the humidity controlled armazens are ideal for the maturation of LBVs and
old tawnies.
Quinta de Vale de Cavalos
numão, 5150 Vila nova de Foz côa
Grade c
At 400 metres above sea level, this 55-hectare property has been bought by Poças, mainly for
the production of Douro wines (see Chapter 7), with some of the wine fortified for LBV.
Quinta dos Bons Ares
touça, 5150 Vila nova de Foz côa
no Grade
On granite soils at an altitude of 600 metres, Bons Ares (‘Good Airs’) rules itself out for the
production of Port. The property was acquired by Ramos Pinto in 1985 to complement
Quinta da Ervamoira which is situated nearby in the torpid Côa valley. The relatively cool
climate is deemed suitable for growing white grapes, and the local Viosinho does well here
alongside Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling which retain much of their natural acidity. Both
red and white grapes from the property go into making ‘Duas Quintas’, a range of Douro
reds blended from Quintas Ervamoira and Bons Ares. A small quantity of red and white
wine – made partly from international grape varieties – is bottled as Quinta dos Bons Ares,
a Vinho Regional.