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Quinta do Paço is a family propriety of a total of 20 Ha, of which around 10 are planted with vines. He is about 150 meters above sea level, between the Atlantic and the Serra dos Candeeiros range, that enjoys a special soil and climate. The soil is calcareous/limestone with clay. The valley lies in a north-west direction, that secures longer maturation, and more acidity in the wines.

 

Coming from a job as an engineer, Rodrigo took over the farm from his father in 2000, and it was from then that the project became more serious. It has been learning by doing, sometimes wrong, but always in a clear direction towards tasty and healthy wines. In other words, Rodrigo had no formal training in wine at the time. And even if he has taken a few courses, to this day he takes many decisions by experience and intuition, such as determining when to harvest.

 

The grapes are mainly local, or at least of Portuguese origin. He uses the grapes that are best adapted to the place, and the yields are kept lower than normal for the area, says Rodrigo. He gives special treatments to the soil, because it must be alive to bring out the best of the varieties.