Quinta do Casal da Granja is located in the high plateau of Alijó (600m) around the very small village called Granja de Alijó and has a vineyard surface 75 ha benefitting from the cool and fresh breezes which optimize the oenological potential of white wines.
The property was originally called Quinta da Carvalha, and was dedicated to a diverse agricultural production: vines, cereal, vegetables, apple and fig trees. There was also a reference to the gathering of livestock, with the total area of land reaching 30 ha.
The quinta was purchased by Real Companhia Velha in 1968, and since then its was transformed into an exclusively wine producing estate.
Since the objective had been to increase wine production levels, it was fundamental to increase the area available for vine plantation. Therefore, in the following years, many smaller neighbouring parcels where purchased, enlarging the property to its current area of 100 ha of which 75 ha are planted with vineyard.
The geographical characteristics and the climate at Quinta do Casal da Granja provide it with the ideal conditions for the production of a sweet white wine affected by the noble rot.
During the 2002 harvest, the winemaking team selected a small amount of Semillon that had naturally been affected by the noble rot for an experimental vinification, with an attempt to produce a late harvest wine. The result was surprisingly positive. This initiative was inspired on a text extracted from an old oenology book (*) which divulged the work of french winemaker Professor J. Laborde, who in 1910 produced a late harvest wine for Real Companhia Vinicola do Norte de Portugal (wich later became a subsidiary of Real Companhia Velha) at this very quinta, and branding the wine “Grandjó”.
In Autumn months, the morning dew followed by warm afternoons with good sun exposure, create the favourable conditions for the natural development of the fungus Botrytis Cinerea on over-ripened bunches. The wine produced under this very particular method, results in on-of-a-kind Late Harvest wine that was very much praised by critics, and which became very popular in the market.
This low yield harvest usually occurs during the first week of November up until Christmas. The grapes are hand-picked in a very laborious process as in some occasions, it is required to harvest more than once in the same vine, picking only the brunches that are affected by the Botrytis at the right level.
Recently, the company planted further areas of Semillon in lower grounds, where the soil is more fertile and more humid, showing better conditions for the production of Late Harvest wines.
(*) “Vinificação Moderna”, by Pedro Bravo e Duarte de Oliveira, manufactured by Oficinas de «O Comércio do Porto», in 1925
The quinta is located in the Cima Corgo sub-region on the plateau between Favaios and Alijó.
Unlike most of the region, this quinta offers ideal conditions for the production of white wines, therefore fostering an innovative project, which included replanting most of its total area with white grape varietals in order to produce premium Douro whites.
With its location being right in the heart of the Alijó plateau, considered the land of Moscatel Galego, the quinta hold the largest Moscatel based vineyard area in the country.
On this very specific terroir, we benefit from perfect conditions for the development of Botrytis Cinerea (noble rot) from which a very special wine is produced: the Grandjó Late Harvest.
This property is composed by two great parcels of which the smaller, just above the road (named: Maquina), comprises 14 ha of forest, 6 ha of vineyard and urban areas. This is also the location for our vinification centre. The second and largest parcel (named: Carvalha) is just bellow the road and is fully planted with vines.
The gradient of Quinta do Casal da Granja is very characteristic of plateau, which reflects small, wavy hills with gentle slopes with an inclination inferior to 15% and provides full sun exposure on the whole estate, with a predominant sothern orientation. The quinta is located between 500 and 600 metres above sea level.
Quinta do Casal da Granjá’s climate is not the most characteristic of the Douro valley, as it experiences higher rainfall, colder winters, cooler summers and does not partake of high maximum temperatures as the quintas located at a lower altitude, and closer to the river.
Therefore, this quinta benefits from a low aridity index and the vines have lower water deficit during summer months. These facts support the reasons why this quinta allows ideal conditions for the production of whites.
Meteorological data:
• Annual average temperature = 12.4ºC
• Average Temperature from April to September = 16.9ªC
• Annual Rainfall (last 30 years) = 900 mm
• Sum of all temperatures superior to 10ºC from April to September = 1,365ºC
Quinta do Casal da Granja has two very different types of soils.
On one side, typical Douro schist soil with earthy textures, poor in fine elements, low in fertility, with low levels of organic matter, high acidity (pH <6), deficient in structure and in most cases, they are modified for the viticulture through the method of heavy duty ploughs (surriba).
On another side, the soils are typical for the Alijó plateau, as they present a thinner texture, with higher fertility index and higher levels of organic matter. These soils are acid, richer in structure and deeper
Total Vineyard Area: 75 ha
For over 10 years, the estate has prioritized the production of white wines, therefore white grapes dominate a large part of the vineyard area.
The parcels of white grapes which have been under a recent reconversion are mainly of well-known varieties, which mostly supply the brands Grandjó, Evel and Porca de Murça.
Vineyard area per grape varietals (excl. Old Vines Field Blend) (B= Branco | T= Tinto)
• Moscatel Galego (B) 37,16 ha
• Sémillon ou Boal (B) 11,29 ha
• Gewürztraminer (B) 4,07 ha
• Pinot Noir (T) 4,05 ha
• Sauvignon Blanc (B) 1,90 ha
• Verdelho (B) 0,96 ha
• Moscatel Roxo (B) 0,3 ha
• Old Vines Field Blend – 18.1ha
(This Field Blend is comprised of a mixture of red grape varietals, mostly Tinta Barroca, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz)
