Douro

Famous as the source of port wine, the Douro is now also renowned for its fine, rich unfortified wines, both red and white.
This is one of the wildest, most mountainous and rugged wine regions of Portugal, cut through in deep twists and turns by the River Douro. Defying gravity on the steep slopes along the banks of the river and its tributaries, the vines are planted in poor, schistous soils.
The Douro region is divided into three sub-regions: from west to east the Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo and Douro Superior.
Port and DOC Douro wines are made only with native grape varieties. The most widely-used ones are Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cão, Tinta Roriz & the most widely planted variety Touriga Franca.

Romaneira

One of the historic & largest Quintas of the Douro Valley, with 412 hectares and 3 kilometres of river frontage on the Douro River.
The vineyard has 86 hectares planted, principally with the noble Douro grape varieties of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinto Cão, but also a small proportion of white grapes (Gouveio and Malvasia-Fina), and a few experimental hectares of “exotic” grape varieties such as Syrah and Petit Verdot.
Since 2004, the company is managed by Christian Seely, bringing his experience in Douro Valley at Quinta do Noval but also in Bordeaux at Chateaux Pichon Longueville and Petit Village, as Managing Director of Axa Millesimes.

Piedmont

Located, as its name suggests, at the foot of the Alps bordering France and Switzerland, Piedmont is the second largest of Italy’s 20 regions, after Sicily.

Recognized for its industry like Fiat in Turin, Piedmont is also one of the greatest regions in the world in terms of cuisine (don’t forget the white truffles from Alba!) and wine!

With 42 DOC and 17 DOCG, Piedmont has more wine appellations than any other Italian region.

The most recognized grape variety is Nebbiolo named exactly for the arrival of this pre-harvest fog (called “nebbia” in Italian), which prolongs cluster hang time and allows full phenolic balance and ripeness. This grape is responsible for the exalted Piedmont wines of Barbaresco and Barolo, known for their ageability, firm tannins and hallmark aromas of tar and roses. Nebbiolo wines, despite their pale hue, pack a pleasing punch of flavor and structure. Barbaresco tends to be more elegant in style while Barolo is more powerful. Across the Tanaro River, the Roero region, and farther north, the regions of Gattinara and Ghemme, also produce excellent quality Nebbiolo.

Barbera is the most planted grape in Piedmont, beloved for its trademark high acidity, low tannin and juicy red fruit. Dolcetto, Piedmont’s other important red grape, is usually ready within a couple of years of release.

Giuseppe Cortese

From its 4 hectares of vineyards located in the middle of “Rabajà”, an historical cru in the Barbaresco area, Giuseppe Cortese vinifies and produces high quality wines since 1971. The Rabaja’ cru enjoys southwesterly exposure and the very best in terms of microclimate, soil and ripening.
Wines are produced according to winemaking tradition using the latest technology: wines aged in Slavonian oak, wines stored in underground cellars at perfectly suitable temperatures in order to maintain the aroma and taste that characterise top quality products.
Their Chardonnay, Dolcetto and Barbera are grown on vineyards on the opposite hillside of Trifolera, producing wines of great elegance and typical style.