The Altas Quintas vines are grown on choice slopes at altitudes varying between 550 m and 650 m, with the entire vineyard extending north to south along 1,800 m on an undulating plateau serenely merged into the São Mamede mountain range.
Covering 48 hectares, the vineyard is divided into 54 ha of vines planted in the late 80s to early 90s and a further 26 ha planted in 2002/3.
The surrounding São Mamede range exerts a dramatic influence on both the mesoclimatic conditions and the schistous, granitic soil of Altas Quintas.
Our grape varieties were carefully selected for complete, effective adaptation to the specific climatic and geological conditions of the estate. We also chose varieties particularly suited to producing rich, finessed premium wines, bound to impress even the most discerning of wine drinkers.
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The motto we strive for at the quinta is very simple: “Wines are made on the vine, not in the cellar”.
Work in the vineyard begins with the laborious, painstaking winter pruning, aiming at a very low yield, which is then further reduced in a stringent, controlled green pruning. The vines also undergo extensive cluster thinning around veraison (change in grape colour).
Such a daily, meticulous hard work in the vineyard fosters a remarkably low yield (exceeding 70% in some grape varieties), leading to an overall estate average of less than 3,500 litres per hectare.
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