Quinta do Monte Xisto

Located in the magnificent wine-growing environment of the Douro, the Quinta do Monte Xisto winery is the protagonist of true expressions of the terroir, made by firmly following a genuine and traditional production philosophy. The winery is located precisely in Vila Nova de Foz Côa, on the left bank of the Douro river, in the Douro Superior sub-zone, an area rich in schist rocks, hence the name of the Quinta. Founder and owner of the estate is João Rosas Nicolau de Almeida, descendant of a long line of winemakers, who, after years of studying and contributing to the oenology of the Douro, decided in 1993 to start buying land in Vila Nova de Foz Côa after falling in love with the area. It was in the 2000s that the first vineyards were planted, which officially marked the birth of the João Nicolau de Almeida & Filhos winery with Quinta do Monte Xisto, an estate that João now runs together with his wife Graça Eça de Queiroz Cabral and their children Mateus, João and Mafalda.

Quinta do Monte Xisto covers 55 hectares, 10 of which are dedicated to vines and the remainder to juniper, holm oak and terebinth forests, olive groves, almond and small orange trees. The varietal platform is broad and entirely traditional, comprising Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Sousão, Tinta Cão, Tinta da Barca, Tinta Francisca and Roriz among the black varieties, and Rabigato, Arinto, Viosinho and Códega among the white grapes. The vines benefit from the shale matrix of the soil, the Mediterranean-continental climate that characterises the area and the altitudes between 220 and 320 metres above sea level. The estate applies the principles of certified organic farming and biodynamics, also using herbal infusions and preparations to stimulate the plants' natural resistance. After manual harvesting, the grapes are immediately transferred to the cellar where alcoholic fermentation takes place spontaneously, mostly in the traditional 'lagar', open, shallow granite vats. Stainless steel tanks, cement vats or 600-litre wooden barrels are used as wine containers for ageing.

Quinta do Monte Xisto's production aims to offer the most authentic expression of the terroir, without manipulation or artifice, indulging the specific characteristics of the Quinta do Monte Xisto terroir.