Quinta do Poeta is a very recent family wine project in the Douro region that is a tribute to the poet Fausto José dos Santos Júnior.
Fausto José (1903-1975) was a contemporary of Miguel Torga, José Régio, Alberto Serpa and Branquinho da Fonseca. He left a vast literary work, especially poetry. He was born in Aldeia de Cima in the municipality of Armamar, on the left bank of the Douro, where he grew up and began the studies he completed at the University of Coimbra, where he graduated in Law, an area in which he carried out a good part of his professional activity, while building his literary work. .
Facing the Douro, Aldeias offers a fantastic view over the valley of the vineyard slopes, with the horizon well defined by the imposing Serra do Marão. There are several 17th-century houses with coats of arms around here, testimony to the importance that the town had in the past.
It is his grandson Nuno Santos and wife Gabriela, who continue the passion that Fausto José had for the Douro, for nature, for hunting, which led him to tirelessly traverse hills and valleys. Another of his passions was wine, which led him to plant the vines that today give color, aroma and flavor to the Quinta do Poeta project.
Nuno Santos studied oenology where he works at another producer in the Douro and Gabriela, also with a journey in reputable Douro houses, more in terms of contact with the consumer, he is the most visible face in events that make the project known.
These vines, planted by the “poet”, gain a new life with this project, a new stage in their preservation and enhancement. The motto of the descendants is to make simple wines, but very rich in essence, which portray the character of a good, simple and sensitive man of the “poet” who came to fraternize with the unprotected. He was seen as a romantic, kindhearted, convinced Catholic and a first-rate hunter and good eater.
The white grape vines, about 2.5 hectares, planted at 620 meters in Aldeia de Cima and the red ones, 15 hectares, in Aldeia de Baixo in a half-slope area between 350-450 meters. It is from here that the first fruits of this new life of the property come out.
In terms of wines, the project starts with two white wines, Quinta do Poeta Branco is based on the Códega do Larinho, Rabigato, Viosinho and other varieties from vines over 60 years old, with 50% of the batch aged in used French oak barrels , shows a beautiful balance between freshness and body.
Another white wine, now with a profile of elegance, vibrant acidity and minerality, Segredos do Poeta, made from 50% Viosinho, 30% Arinto and 20% Alvarinho grapes, vinified in stainless steel where it aged for 3 months.
Completing the debut trio is the 2021 Quinta do Poeta Rosé produced from the Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional grape varieties, bright in a beautiful and intense pink color, with an appealing aroma of wild berries and floral nuances.
The red will also have its moment, its debut, with the first signs of showing great potential, in a contemporary line of the new energy and freshness of the Douro.
