Winebow Producer Book

VR Beiras , Portugal

Winery Overview Foz de Arouce has a long history of winemaking that can be linked to the legend of the Arab King Arunce, who built a castle in the region to protect his daughter, his treasures, and of course, his wine. Today, the fourth Count of Arouce, João Fillipe Osorio, lives nearby in his 16th century family home overseeing one of the most consistently top rated estates in Portugal – Foz de Arouce. Some of the original 70 year old vines still produce fruit today. Location of Vineyard Conde de Foz de Arouce is located in the Lousã Municipality, near the city of Coimbra, in the region of Beiras. The estate comprises 15 acres of vineyard on schist and quartz soil. The vines are planted on a steep mountain that faces the sun and is bathed in fog each morning, a crucial component to preserving freshness in the wine. Surrounded by windmill topped mountains, the vineyard is protected from the strong Tejo winds. Winemaking Philosophy The vineyard is planted primarily with Baga, though many other traditional Portuguese varieties are included. Wine production is limited to around 10,000 bottles of red and 1,500 bottles of white each year. A focus on terroir is emphasized, producing some truly unique wines, as Foz de Arouce is the only vineyard in a 50 mile radius. Top Portuguese oenologist, João Portugal Ramos, has married into the family and helped lift Foz de Arouce’s wines to Portugal’s uppermost echelon.

VR Lisboa , Portugal

Winery Overview Quinta do Monte d’Oiro (“Hill of Gold”) was founded by winemaker, José Bento dos Santo, in the early 1990s. His goal was to develop top quality wines in a European style while respecting his vineyard’s unique terroir . The wines, which are deep, mineral and personalized, carry the Quinta’s identity, and their unique robust character is a harmonious match with classical and haute cuisines. Over the past 20 years, the winery has achieved international renown with wines chosen for the Portuguese president’s cellar at the Palácio de Belém. Location of Vineyard Quinta do Monte d’Oiro is located in Estremadura, Alenquer, 30 miles north of Lisbon. The area has been praised in various documents dating as far back as the 17th century, as a privileged terroir that produces great wines. The 37.5 acre vineyard is dedicated to the red grapes Syrah, Cinsaut, Petit Verdot, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz; Viognier is its only white grape. The climate is Mediterranean with Atlantic influence, and the soil composition is clay-limestone. Winemaking Philosophy Strict guidelines and procedures are followed during the production process, which is assisted by Grégory Viennois (Maison M. Chapoutier’s head winemaker). The vineyard is manicured to achieve production in small quantities with very low yields (about 1.5 to 2.6 tons per acre), and grapes are carefully handpicked into 33 pound boxes. Fermentation is rigorously run in temperature controlled stainless steel vats; long maceration is employed and extended aging occurs in the best new French oak barrels such as Seguin Moreau, Radoux and Taransaud.