This thing about Dão wines

These are truly cool wine locations that you cannot miss in the fascinating Dão wine region, as well as some of its most prestigious producers!

Dão wine region was created in 1908 and it is known as the Portuguese Burgundy. Covering an area of 3760 sq km, Dão wine region has a very specific geographical location, embraced by three mountain ranges: Estrela, Caramulo and Buçaco. This wine region have several vine varieties, such as: Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, Jaen and Tinta Roriz in the reds and Encruzado, Bical, Cercial, Malvasia Fina and Verdelho in the whites.

Wine spots
Quinta de Lemos

Quinta de Lemos produces outstanding Dão wines, made of indigenous Dão grape varieties. Located in Silgueiros, in the surroundings of Viseu, a true natural hidden gem, Quinta de Lemos covers an area of 25 hectares of vineyards surrounded by olive trees, orchards, and woods. One of the unique points of the Portuguese Dão wines is their reliance on indigenous varieties: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Jaen, Alfrocheiro in the reds and Encruzado and Malvasia Fina in the whites. Each year Quinta de Lemos presents two blends and dofferent mono-varietal wines. The distinguished Quinta de Lemos wines can be tasted at the 1-Star Michelin restaurant Mesa de Lemos, led by the creative Chef Diogo Rocha.

Paço dos Cunhas

Set in a beautiful 17th century building, Paço dos Cunhas - 16km away from Viseu - was restored by Global Wines enterprise, becoming one of the most prestigious wine tourism units in Portugal. The renovation project is signed by Portuguese architect Pedro Mateus. Here you will find the perfect balance between tradition and modernity in an environment full of comfort. Paço dos Cunhas de Santar organises regular wine workshops, show-cooking activities and visits to Casa de Santar wine cellars.

Quinta da Taboadella

Quinta da Taboadella is located in Silvã de Cima within 40 ha of vineyards between Vale do Pereiro and Vale do Sequeiro, offering a stunning view over Serra da Estrela. The modern wine cellar was designed by the Portuguese architect Carlos Castanheira and is an example of ecological sustainability by using materials such as wood and cork. This winery has the oldest testimonies of the history of wine making in the region of Dão, dating back to 1255.

Casa da Ínsua

Casa da Ínsua is a baroque style manor-house, built during the 18th century by order of Luís de Albuquerque de Mello Pereira e Cáceres, Governor and General-Captain of Cuibá and Mato Grosso, in Brazil. Walking through the gardens is not the only activity you can enjoy. You can also taste the wines that are produced in the house, spend the morning with a shepherd, watch closely watch closely the Serra da Estrela cheese and jam handmade making process, participate in the Farm activities such as working in the vegetable garden or picking up fruit, as well as enjoy walking throughout the green fields, and the outdoor swimming pool during the hotter season.

Wine producers
Julia Kemper

Born in a family with a long wine-producing tradition, at the heart of the noble Dão wine region, Julia Kemper, a Lisbon-based lawyer, decided to change her life completely and to continue the family tradition in their property Quinta do Cruzeiro. From lawyer to farmer, Julia started creating natural organic wines that respect the pace of nature

Producing elegant wines with delicious acidity, an incredible texture, high quality and organic means extensive knowledge, constant work and learning, that take advantage of resources, promote balance and preserve biodiversity.

Quinta do Cruzeiro is one of the most ancient vineyards in the Dão Demarcated wine region. Quinta do Cruzeiro is the name that designates several “terroirs” in the eleven plots surrounded by forest and olive trees that belonged to the same family, from remote times and throughout the centuries. Julia Kemper Wines started and continues its production on this vineyard to provide some of the best organic wines. In 2008, the first wines hit the market and immediately conquered the recognition from critics, with its combination of originality, character, elegance and structure.

Álvaro Castro & Maria Castro

“What we currently do is to respect the vineyards and to accept the wines that are born there, regardless of their characteristics”. This is the motto of Álvaro Castro and his daughter Maria Castro while producing outstanding wines at the heart of Dão wine region.

Álvaro Castro graduated in Civil Engineering, but never worked in this area. He collected several experiences and saw the world. Facing the decision to sell the properties of the family, he decided not to. And so the adventure in the world of wines began. He became one of the most respected winemakers in the Dão wine region.

Dão wine region is framed by 3 mountain ranges: Buçaco, Caramulo and Serra da Estrela with very special weather conditions. The vineyards of Álvaro Castro are situated in a hill next to Vila Nova de Tazém , hidden between pine trees, broom and bushes. The vineyards are 6 to 65 years-old, situated at a medium altitude of 550 meters in a area of 60 ha. The typical vine varieties of the region are planted in granitic soils: Encruzado, Cercial, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Jaen, Alfrocheiro, Baga, an old vine with more than 30 vine varieties.

Quinta de Saes has very remote origins, dating back to 1580. Quinta da Pellada, located in the surroundings of Quinta de Saes, was born in 1527. Álvaro Castro made his first wine in 1989. His daughter, the gifted wine-maker Maria Castro, works in partnership with his father, in the creation of absolutely remarkable wines.