Quinta Da Saes
Nestled between the famous Douro Valley and coastal Atlantic Bairrada, Dão is considered a perfect winegrowing climate, drawing winemakers from all over Portugal and beyond to begin new projects in this underrated region. For all those seeking to understand Dão, the strongest references for fine wine made in the traditional local style are the wines of father and daughter winemaking duo, Álvaro and Maria Castro of Pellada and Saes.
Winemaking here was dominated by large cooperatives for decades, until an unlikely champion for grower methods and indigenous varieties emerged in the 1980s: Lisbon-born civil engineer Álvaro Castro, who had no previous winemaking experience but found himself the heir to two small farms (or quintas) known as Pellada and Saes. He was joined later by his daughter, Maria Castro, and today the two continue a winemaking tradition on their family estate, which dates to the 16th century. Today, Quinta da Saes wines draw a line from historical Portuguese winemaking into modernity.
Philosophy
Alvaro Castro's approach has been to stick to what he knows is good wine—balanced, elegant, lifted, age worthy—and his faithfulness to the real Dão has set the benchmark for what are now considered regional classics. Together, Álvaro and Maria form their own field blend of opinions, styles, and influences, all of which add up to a remarkable line of small-production red and white wines that emphasize their “less is more” philosophy and impeccable terroir.
Biography
Álvaro and Maria Castro live in Lisbon, commuting to spend the majority of their week in the vineyards and at the winery. Like her father, Maria is an engineer by training, with a degree in biotechnology, who turned later in life to wine. Unlike her father, she arrived to the family business in 2000 with professional winemaking experience from working in Bordeaux, at a large winery in Lisbon, and with Dirk Niepoort in Douro. Although Álvaro did not have formal training, he has always trusted his own palate, and living in Lisbon but making wine in a remote location, he has seen myriad trends come and go.
Wines from Quinta Da Saes
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