QUINTA DO VESUVIO
THE QUEEN OF THE DOURO - QUINTA DO VESUVIO.
Nestled within the Douro Superior region, Quinta do Vesuvio is a revered vineyard located 120 kilometers inland from Portugal's Atlantic coastline and a mere 45 kilometers from the Spanish border. This vineyard's prestigious reputation for crafting exceptional wines traces back to the 19th century, as depicted by the Viscount of Villa Maior's words, “All this wine is meticulously and flawlessly made...this Quinta was crafted as though for royalty...”
The Symington family, since acquiring Quinta do Vesuvio in 1989, has faithfully revitalized the vineyard's illustrious standing in the Douro region. Committed to honoring the site's traditions, they have upheld the age-old practice of grape treading in the vineyard's historic granite lagares, constructed in 1827. Every harvest season, human treading teams, comprising up to 50 individuals, work tirelessly into the night, keeping alive a tradition that has been relinquished by all other prominent Douro Valley estates. Vesuvio has remained steadfast in its decision to only produce Vintage Port, refraining from issuing any other style of Port under the Vesuvio label.
With a sprawling expanse nearing 320 hectares, Quinta do Vesuvio has over 130 hectares dedicated to vine cultivation. Ambitious investments by the Symington family have transformed this stately estate into one of the Douro's benchmark vineyards. The family has carefully maintained many mature vineyards, originally planted in the 1970s as some of the first single-varietal plots in the region. Alongside these, the older mixed-varietal vineyards add to the intricate complexity and robust structure of Quinta do Vesuvio Vintage Ports.
TERROIR
Situated 120 kilometers east of Oporto and 45 kilometers from the Spanish border, Quinta do Vesuvio benefits from a distinctive terroir - a unique combination of microclimate, soil, and other elements that create ideal conditions for consistently remarkable wines. With steep slopes, winding valleys, and elevations varying from 130 to 530 meters, its landscape is as majestic as it is challenging. The continental climate is dry with harsh seasonal contrasts, while the predominant schist soil adds another dimension to the character of the wines.
WINE
Quinta do Vesuvio's Vintage Ports are singular in their richness and concentration, standing apart in the spectrum of Douro wines. Year after year, they showcase an exceptional balance and length, a testament to the estate's unique terroir, varietal composition, and traditional foot treading. Their intense aroma of violets and wild spring flowers, along with layers of complex, lingering flavors, including blueberry, blackcurrant, and bitter chocolate, lend structure and depth. Vesuvio Vintage Ports are harmonious, velvety on the palate, and bear the Vesuvio name exclusively - no other Port styles are produced here.
WINERY
Completed in 1827, the winery, or 'adega', was built on a grand scale and features eight granite lagares, each capable of holding 24 pipes of must. The winemaking is traditional, utilizing foot-treading exclusively. The only nod to modernity is a stainless steel cooling system, designed to maintain optimal fermentation temperatures between 28º to 30ºC.
QUINTA AND VINEYARDS
Renowned as one of the Douro's most esteemed quintas, Quinta do Vesuvio boasts an enchanting landscape, an elegant house, a chapel, winery offices, and a dormitory for harvest staff. The sprawling property covers 325 hectares, with 136 hectares devoted to vineyards - a third of which are planted with Touriga Nacional. Since acquiring the estate in 1989, the Symington family has doubled the area under vine through re-planting and new plantings. The vast variety of microclimates and grape varieties on the estate ensures exceptional Vintage Ports even in challenging vintages. The property holds the highest possible quality designation, 'A-rated', with all grapes harvested by hand.
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Charles Symington
José Luís Cavalheiro
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1989/1990/1991/1992/1994/1995/1996/1997/1998/1999/2006/2007/2008/2009/2010/2011/2012/2013/2015/2016/2017/2018/2019
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Quinta do Vesuvio Vintage Ports are very concentrated, powerful wines, showing ripe fruit flavours such as blueberry and blackcurrent.
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Quinta do Vesuvio does not produce any other port wines other than vintage port wines.
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Quinta do Vesuvio is situated in the Douro Superior, which has a more continental climate than other areas of the Douro Valley with very hot summers and very cold winters, as well as the region’s lowest annual rainfall, averaging 470 mm per annum at Vesuvio. The property’s scale and mountainous terrain mean the estate benefits from vineyards facing all points of the compass. The predominant exposure is north-west and west, which jointly account for over half the area under vine. Although Vesuvio experiences very hot and dry conditions, much of the property enjoys favourable aspects that shield the vines from the searing summer heat. The estate’s considerable altitude range, from 100 metres to almost 500 metres above sea level is another very significant factor, as altitude conserves acidity, which is an important feature, particularly in very hot years.
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