Vineyard Overview

Ramos Pinto owns 90% of the vineyards that supply their winemaking needs, making it close to an “estate” grown property. In the Douro Valley, this is the largest proportion of vineyard ownership in relation to production, giving it a high degree of control over viticultural methods and harvest time.

The four quintas that make up Ramos Pinto‘s holdings are the Quinta do Bom Retiro, Quinta de Ervamoira, Quinta da Urtiga, and Quinta dos Bons Ares. Ramos Pinto blends single quinta ports from Bom Retiro and Ervamoira grapes, and a single quinta port from Urtiga.

 

Quinta do Bom Retiro | Cima Corgo

Quinta do Bom Retiro was purchased in 1919 by the founder of the company, Adriano Ramos Pinto. More than 100 years old, this quinta is located in the sub-region of Cima Corgo (near Pinhão) and it is washed by the waters of the river Torto. It covers a total surface area of 272 acres, which vary between an altitude of 110 and 400 metres. 153 acres are planted with vines of local grape varieties with an average age of 40 years. This quinta has been used as an experimental field to study the best vinegrowing techniques suited to the terroir of the Douro. Vineyards have been planted in the traditional terraces in "patamares" as well as vertical planting (“vinha ao alto”). The grapes from Quinta do Bom Retiro produce elegant and complex wines with great aging potential.

Quinta da Urtiga | Cima Corgo

Purchased in 1933, this quinta is also located in the sub-region of Cima Corgo near the village of Pinhão in the Douro. In 2001, the vineyards of Quinta da Urtiga were classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It covers a total surface area of 10 acres, which vary between an altitude of 290 and 324 meters. The texture of Urtiga’s vineyard soil is silty loam with naturally high acidity. 8.5 acres of the total area are covered with pre-phylloxera terraces, planted with 63 different indigenous grape varieties with an average age of 100 years old. The grapes from this Quinta produce classic and ageless wines.

Quinta de Ervamoira | Douro Superior

Located in the Douro Superior sub-region, this quinta covers a total surface area of 578 acres, with altitudes that vary between 110 and 340 metres. At Ervamoira, the vertical form of planting has been exclusively used (vineyards laid out without terraces) and local grape varieties—such as Rabigato, Viosinho, Folgazão for the whites and Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca and Tinta Barca for reds—are planted in individual plots (a first in the Douro). The soils at Quinta de Ervamoira are part of the Ante-Ordovician greywacke and schist complex. In this homogenous geological context, Quinta de Ervamoira draws its originality from the diversity of exposures provided by the amphitheatre in which it is located. The Mediterranean/Continental climate tends to bring cold winters and very hot and dry summers, with an average annual rainfall of 300mm. The wines produced here are full bodied and very concentrated.

Quinta dos Bons Ares | Douro Superior

With an altitude of 600 meters, the vineyards of Quinta dos Bons Ares are situated along a gentle slope of the hill. It has a total surface area of 124 acres and is planted with different grape varieties. Quinta dos Bons Ares is located in one of the rare granite outcrops of the Douro region. The soils are granitic with a sandy loam texture. They lack structure, are poor in organic materials and higher in acidity than is usual in the region. With low water retaining capacity, the water table is very close to the surface. Here, the altitude provides cooler temperatures during the year and also a higher annual rainfall, around 500mm per year. The wines produced here are fresh, aromatic and with a very well balanced acidity.