Red Wine

Details Published: 23 August 2019 23 August 2019

Quinta do Passadouroin the Douro Valley, Portugal

It has been a busy year for Douro Valley port and dry wine producer, Quinta do Noval. February saw the release of Noval's dry wine range in London, and in the summer, Managing Director Christian Seely joined the Fladgate Partnership’s Adrian Bridge, and Symington family’s Charles Symington at the Tate Modern to show to the trade the newly declared 2017 vintage.

Now, as the 2019 harvest approaches, Quinta do Noval announces the acquisition of their neighbour, the family-owned, Quinta do Passodouro.

Growing excitement around Douro wine

The purchase of the estate comes at a time when interest in Douro wines is on an upward curve and excitement around the expression of varieties such as Touring Nacional, Touring Franca, Tinta Cao, and Tinta Roriz, is encouraging producers to increase their quantities of dry wine.

Notable producers aside from Quinta do Noval include: Niepoort, Quinta Do Crasto, Quinta Nova, and Quinta do Vallado.

The trademarks of these wines are elegance, plush fruit, alluring perfume and excellent balance.

“…the greatest vineyard terroir of the Douro Valley…”

Quinta do Noval’s Managing Director, Christian Seely had this to say of the quality of the vineyards they are buying: “The vineyard of Passadouro consists of two principal parcels, both marching with the vineyard of Quinta do Noval. One parcel is in the Pinhão Valley, where the majority of Noval’s vineyard is situated, and which ranks among the greatest vineyard terroir of the Douro Valley, and the other parcel is in the Roncão Valley, where Noval also has very significant vineyard holdings, and which is also vineyard terroir of the highest level.”

Seely added that the Quinta do Passadouro brand will be maintained so that the longstanding reputation of the estate will continue under the new ownership. Quinta do Passadouro consists of 36 hectares of vineyard that will be added to the 141 hectares of Noval making a total of 181 hectares.

From hobby project to a precious jewel

Ans Bohrmann of Quinta Passadouro added, “Passadouro started as a warm-hearted hobby-project of the family, more than 25 years ago. During this period the family was lucky to work with some of the most talented and dedicated people in the region. If Passadouro has become a strong brand with high-quality products it is mainly thanks to those people.”

Bohrmann added, “The time has come to hand-over to a new owner who will build on these achievements. We believe Noval’s professionalism and renowned winemakers will ensure Passadouro’s long term success.”

Related articles:

2017 Vintage Port Review with Adrian Bridge, Christian Seely & Charles Symington

Interview: Quinta do Noval's Christian Seely on producing dry wine in the Douro