FAMILY HISTORY

Quinta da Raza has been in the Teixeira Coelho family for four centuries and is now in the hands of Diogo Teixeira Coelho, the fifth generation.

The origins of Quinta da Raza lie in a famous estate located in Veade, Celorico de Basto, known as ‘A Casa do Outeiro,’ likely of medieval origin and classified since 1977 as a Property of Public Interest. The first known owner of Casa do Outeiro was Francisco Gonçalves in the early 17th century. However, references to this initial building are scarce. The current configuration of Casa do Outeiro dates back to the 19th century, resulting from a reconstruction after the great fire of 1860 that left the building almost completely destroyed. The said renovation, carried out by Inácio Xavier Teixeira de Barros, a nobleman of the Royal House, was naturally done in the style of the time, embodying a mix of seventeenth and nineteenth-century architectural trends. There are clear architectural and stylistic affinities with the neighboring ‘Casa da Boavista,’ a connection that extended to members of both families.

The main façade features a pediment with the coat of arms and a quartered shield with the insignias of the Teixeiras (1st), Macedos (2nd), Barros (3rd), and Carvalhos (4th). Also noteworthy is the high number of glazed windows and doors, totaling 26, indicative of the family’s social status. This is further emphasized by the crenellated tower, reminiscent of ancient medieval fortifications.

Unlike other manor houses, Casa do Outeiro does not allocate the ground floor to agricultural or livestock dependencies. Warehouses, cellars, presses, pigeon houses, cowsheds, and others are situated near the main house, providing more comfort and privacy. Indeed, agricultural vehicles did not have access to the ground floor, adorned with granite paving and a balustrade, facing which the gardens with tanks adorned with boxwood and japonicas spread out, following the tradition of the Basto region.

Although cultivating other agricultural products such as corn, potatoes, or vegetables, the cultivation of vines and wine has always been the main focus of Casa do Outeiro. A prime example of the agricultural virtues of Casa do Outeiro and its owners is the Agricultural Merit Medal awarded by King D. Luís I and Queen D.ª Maria Pia to the current owner’s great-great-grandfather at the Braga Agricultural Exhibition of 1863, where the most prominent property owners and agricultural producers in the region were honored.

Quinta da Raza is considered a “daughter”/”successor”/”descendant” of Casa do Outeiro, with the current owners being Diogo and Mafalda Teixeira Coelho.

The possession of the current family in the area known as Raza – so named because it is a considerably flat area, surrounded by rugged and mountainous terrain – is documented since 1769, although the actual ownership of the lands likely dates back to earlier times.

5 Generations of Quinta da Raza

Quinta da Raza has traversed four centuries to the present day, always within the Teixeira Coelho family, now in the hands of Diogo Teixeira Coelho, the 5th generation. Enthusiasm and dedication to the vineyard and wine have fermented passion and excitement over time.

Diogo’s family has a close-knit relationship and an ancestral legacy with the estate and the Basto Region, where they have lived for generations. After the death of his grandfather Inácio in 1987, Diogo began his career as a viticulturist. His passion for agriculture and the vineyard, along with the commitment and enthusiasm placed in the necessary viticultural restructuring of the estate, were crucial in facing the initial years of professional activity.

Later, in 2008, his wife Mafalda joined Quinta da Raza as responsible for the export market. From then on, they started sharing the same life project. Since then, they have dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to the production of excellent wines, maintaining the same passion as their ancestors, seeking to innovatively and boldly imprint the character of Quinta da Raza’s wines with the unique viticultural attributes of the Basto region.

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