Undoubtedly of Minho origins, Vinhão is now the most popular and planted red grape in the Vinho Verde Region, although it is more expressive in the Lima, Ave, and Basto sub-regions, in the latter case, enhanced by the Tâmega valley and its large annual temperature variations, allowing for a considerable exploitation of its potential. Also known as Sousão, especially in the Douro Valley, where it is used to add color to some Port wines, Vinhão produces wines with high acidity, vinous, full-bodied, and intense red color, opaque to light. Color is indeed one of its main characteristics, often considered a dyeing grape, although this is not a consensual topic. To the intense, garnet-red color, aromas with notes of wild fruits, such as blackberry and raspberry, are added.

At Quinta da Raza, the cultivation of Vinhão seeks to reconcile modern techniques and tradition. Harvesting, exclusively manual, is carried out in the morning and in small boxes with a maximum capacity of 20 kg. Its vinification follows traditional methods, with stomping in granite lagares, where alcoholic fermentation takes place at controlled temperatures. There are five wines in our portfolio with which you can delight in this unique grape variety: Dom Diogo Vinhão Vinhão and Tinto Nat, both single-varietals; Raza Rosé and Raza Pet-Nat Rosérosé wines where Vinhão is blended with Padeiro and Espadeiro, and finally, one of the references in the Special Family Collection range, Quinta da Raza Vinha de Cerdeiredo, again blended, this time with a tremendous variety of traditional red grape varieties, such as Amaral, Borraçal, Azal Tinto, or Rado d’Ovelha.

Indeed, those who have never experienced drinking a beautiful Vinhão, through a white clay bowl, observing the “painting” of the wine, are missing out on one of the most unforgettable experiences life can offer.