Torna Viagem
A special edition of the Douro Superior 2018 and Amon de Kelia 2018 wine.
Wines that crossed the Atlantic Ocean to Brazil and returned to Portugal. Therefore, they have the seal of Torna Viagem. Sealed by the Atlantic, they traveled 4561 nautical miles and crossed the equator twice, being subjected to agitation, changes in temperature, pressure and humidity. This journey through space and time refined these wines, turning them into distinct wines worthy of being tried.
Hermits are wines made from the same grape variety, Rabigato. Each wine is from a separate parcel, all having in common that they are in the Douro Superior, with a Mediterranean/continental climate, exposed to the south and in the schist soil of the Formation da Queros, with small differences in rocks and altitude. Despite being vinified in the same way, the parcels give rise to different wines! Thus, the different “telluric information” that each place transmits becomes evident.
Vinhos do Solo? ..
Wine maker
Mateus Nicolau de Almeida was Portugal's Young Wine maker of the year in 2014. He and his wife Teresa Amatzoy - the celebrated Spanish wine maker - work together producing their amazing wines. Mateus says "Curral Teles" is where I have my Quinta. In these wines I work essentially in the Human influence in the wine. From the type of variety, ways of planting, vinification, elevage, etc.
These wines are made in small quantities that reflect the experiences made in the cellar and are not produced every year. They are classified with Greek alphabet in honour of the experiences that were made in the Greek academies.
Mateus Nicolau de Almeida, comes from a family long associated with the Douro. With two new projects which are as exciting as anything his family has done in the past: the Trans Douro Express, and the Eremitas (Hermits).
Mateus’ grandfather made Barca Velha, arguably the most iconic and historically important dry wine made in the Douro, paving the way for all that came after him. More recently, in 1994, Mateus’ father, João Nicolau de Almeida, created Quinta do Monte Xisto in a vineyard he planted in Vila Nova Foz da Côa, in the Douro Superior. Mateus uses organic, and biodynamic practices in his vineyeards.