Portugal > Dao > Quinta do Ribeira Santo (Pinha)

Organic Practices

The Quinta do Ribeira Santo is an ancient property once belonging to the Church, and featuring one of the few perennial streams in the area, the Holy River, the Ribeira Santo.

Owner/Winemaker Carlos Lucas has over 25 years experience in the cellars of Portugal, Spain and southern France. His father, who bought and renovated the hacienda and vineyards of the ancient Quinta do Ribeiro Santo property in 1995, handed the reins to Carlos in the 2000’s. Carlos now makes complex and compelling wines from the indigenous varieties planted on the property, including Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, Tinto Cão and Encruzado, perhaps Portugal’s finest white wine grape.

The Quinta do Ribeira Santo

The vineyards are nestled in among the local pinon pines, eucalyptus and oaks, in pockets of soil between the large granitic outcrops. Elevations range from about 1300 to over 2000 ft. The climate is Atlantic-Continental with large diurnal temperatrue swings. Soils are sandy and granitic, overlaying a mix of schist and granite. Carlos manages the properties organically, with respect for the land and the vines. Green cover is planted between rows, and chemicals are not used.

The Wines

Pinha Branco: a blend of Malvasia Fina, Bical, and Encruzado. Destemmed, fermented at a very low temperature to preserve primary fruit aromas and bottled after a short rest in stainless. Bright and clear with tangy citrus and floral notes.

Pinha Encruzado: from a single vineyard site planted entirely to Enrcuzado. Destemmed before vinification. Fermented in stainless, then aged in tank and bottled fresh. Crisp and floral with elegant acidity. Medium full body and a long finish.

Pinha Rosado: a blend of Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz. Destemmed, fermented and aged in stainless for 5 months before bottling. Raspberry and strawberry notes with hints of citrus and bracing acidity. Super clean and crisp.

The dao Region

The Dao wine region is a mountainous territory, mostly on a high-altitude plateau surrounded by the higher mountains of the Serra da Estrela, Serra do Caramulo and Serra da Nave. This helps the area maintain its temperate climate away from the effects of the nearby Atlantic Ocean. The region experiences abundant rainfall in the winter months and long, warm dry summers leading up to harvest. The region's vineyards are planted on sandy well-drained soil on top of granite rock, and received DOC status in 1990.

The region is homeland to the Touriga Nacional grape widely used in Port and Douro wines, Tinta Roriz and Alfrocheiro are also important, for the reds while Encruzado is the primary grape for whites.

Pinha Tinto: a blend of Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, and Tinta Roriz. Hand-harvested, then destemmed prior to fermentation in stainless steel vats with long maceration to extract a good color and aroma. Racked into stainless to rest for about 6 months before very light filtration and bottling. Bright ruby with tinges of violet; a nose of blueberry and blackberry, and gentle acids just enough to keep the finish refreshing.

Pinha Tinto Reserva: also a blend of Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, and Tinta Roriz. Destemmed and fermented in stainless, then racked over to 225l French oak barriques to finish fermenting, racked into oak for an additional 9 months ageing before bottling. Deep red color with touches of purple, black fruit and spices from pepper to vanilla. Velvety and long. Ages well.