Quinta de Azevedo | Vinho Verde

Fernando Guedes acquired Quinta de Azevedo in 1982 and immediately set out to transform it. He planted 35 hectares of vineyards in this cool, wet part of north western Portugal, bordered to the north by the Minho River, which separates Vinho Verde from Spain’s Rías Baixas, to the west by the Atlantic, to the south by the city of Porto and to the east by the Serra do Marão mountains, beyond which lies the Douro Valley.

Traditionally, overhead pergola systems were used to make use of every piece of land, including that under the trellis. While good for the farmers, this was not conducive to quality wine production. Fernando moved away from these pergolas to cordon-trained vines, allowing more air circulation and sun exposure for resultantly riper and healthier grapes. In replanting the vineyards, and making the first wine in 1990, Fernando pioneered quality Vinho Verde production.

Today, winemaker António Braga and his team continue to make some of the region’s best wines, marked by a signature freshness and pure, precise flavours. The vineyards are situated in the Barcelos commune, planted primarily to the indigenous Alvarinho and Loureiro varieties. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at 16 – 18˚C to retain the varieties’ natural freshness and aromatics. The delicate Loureiro lends floral notes of lime blossom and bay leaf to the wines, while Alvarinho brings stone fruit aromas, structure and complexity.