Quinta da Pellada

Quinta da Pellada traces its earliest historical references to around 1570, making it one of the most venerable estates in Dão. The property entered its modern chapter in 1980 when civil engineer Álvaro Castro inherited the quinta and re-established the family winemaking tradition. Today, Castro is widely acknowledged as the leading producer in the Dão region, and his daughter Maria Castro has joined as winemaker, continuing the family's commitment to the land. The estate operates in concert with Quinta de Saes and Quinta do Outeiro.

• First historical references appear around 1570
• Álvaro Castro inherited and revived the estate in 1980
• Maria Castro serves as winemaker alongside her father
• Part of a broader Castro estate spanning three quintas

Quinta da Pellada sits in the Serra da Estrela sub-region of Dão, at elevations ranging from 450 to 600 meters above sea level. The soils are predominantly granite, laced with lines of quartz, sand, and clay. This combination of altitude, granitic bedrock, and a climate defined by cold and rainy winters alongside hot and dry summers produces wines with a distinctive mineral profile, bright acidity, and refined tannin structure. The Mediterranean influence is tempered by Atlantic air, moderating ripening and preserving freshness.

• Elevation from 450 to 600 meters in the Serra da Estrela sub-region
• Granite soils with quartz, sand, and clay veins
• Mediterranean climate with Atlantic influence
• Cold winters and hot, dry summers define the growing season

Quinta da Pellada is a benchmark for the preservation of indigenous Portuguese varieties. The estate vinifies more than 40 native grape varieties, the majority as traditional field blends. A historic vineyard plot, over 70 years old, alone contains 48 different grape varieties. Red varieties planted include Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, Jaen, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Pinheira, Alvarelhão, and Baga. White varieties include Encruzado, Cercial, and Bical. This extraordinary genetic diversity is central to the estate's identity and its pioneering role in championing Dão's viticultural heritage.

• Over 40 indigenous varieties vinified, mostly as field blends
• Historic plot over 70 years old contains 48 different grape varieties
• Key reds: Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, Jaen, Tinta Roriz
• Key whites: Encruzado, Cercial, Bical

The wines of Quinta da Pellada are defined by elegance, finesse, and a pronounced mineral character. The estate prioritizes natural fermentations and produces primarily red wines, with white varieties also represented. Across the range, the hallmarks are bright acidity, refined tannins, and a mineral profile that reflects the granitic soils of Serra da Estrela. Critical recognition has been substantial, with several wines earning 94-97 points from Robert Parker, cementing Quinta da Pellada's status as one of Portugal's most important addresses.

• Wines are elegant, mineral-driven, and built on bright acidity
• Natural fermentations are a core production philosophy
• Several wines score 94-97 points from Robert Parker
• Primarily red wines, with some white production