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Quinta do Crasto

Douro Valley, Portugal

Ethos: Respecting the natural equilibrium.

Perched high above the River Douro, between the towns of Régua and Pinhão, the site now occupied by Quinta do Crasto has been witness to the slow passage of time since at least the time of the Romans. Once a Roman 'castrum' ('fort'), after which the estate was eventually named, the first record of wine being made here is in 1615. Soon afterwards it was awarded the status of 'Feitoria', the highest vineyard classification of the age. Between 1758 and 1761, the Marquis of Pombal ordered the installation of 335 granite markers to denote the borders of the Douro Valley wine region – the first such demarcation in the world. One of these 'marcos pombalinos' can still be seen at the estate today. The family of the current owners acquired this historic property over a century ago and has continued its long and venerable tradition of producing the highest possible quality Port wines.

When Constantino de Almeida acquired the property in 1918, he performed a wholesale restoration of the 17th-century house and winery, creating the property as it is today. Since 2012 this family home has opened its doors to visitors who can now experience the grandeur of this majestic landscape in the most welcoming and authentic of settings. With the same diligence with which it crafts its wines, guests can expect service of the utmost excellence. Visits take in the vineyard, olive grove, winery with its original stone 'lagares' and modern barrel room, the house and, finally, the sensational views, which serve as the perfect accompaniment to a tasting, or for a lunch or dinner served on the terrace. Those lucky enough to stay the night in the guest wing of the estate can take advantage of the infinity pool with its views looking right down the River Douro flowing right past you. Don't forget to visit the small 17th-century chapel at the highest point of the estate amid a small grove of trees and, most of all, don’t miss the opportunity to arrive by boat which can be arrived from Pinhão.

In this privileged spot in the very heart of the Cima Corgo, the Douro's finest sub-region, the Roquette family take advantage of the optimal conditions to craft their range of premium and super-premium table and fortified wines and olive oil. For the past 20 years, the family has partnered with one of Bordeaux’s great winemaking dynasties, the Cazes family, to produce a premium Douro red wine, ‘Xisto’, that is only produced in the best years. Finally, with century-old vines in special vineyards such as the Vina Maria Teresa plot, the estate also pursues viticultural techniques that preserve the identity of their vines, express their sense of place and protect the biodiversity of this magnificent valley.

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