We are at the highlight of the year at Quinta da Raza, harvesting the fruit resulting from long months of work and dedication. Certainly, everyone is curious about what to expect from the 2020 Harvest and how our Vinho Verde wines will be. We can unveil it a little. 

Expectations are high and we are very excited about this harvest! At Quinta da Raza, after the initial anxiety, since the flowering occurred about 10 days earlier than usual, the fears disappeared when a healthy and regular growth of the grapes was observed.

The mild climate which was felt during the months of July and August in Celorico de Basto contributed to a final period of exceptional ripening of the grapes. We expect that, with this panorama, the result of the wines reflects the serenity and balance with which nature has offered the Quinta da Raza vineyards.

The grape harvest is one of the highlights of the year in every farm because it is the moment you begin to touch upon the result of hard work which takes place over several months of growth of the vineyards. In 2020, the average production per vineyard is slightly below other years, but the increase in the planted area contributes to the maintenance of the quantities produced in previous years.  

Which grape varieties could be the biggest stars of the year? 

From what we can see so far, by analysing the ripening controls as well as the musts already in the cellar, Quinta da Raza’s Vinho Verde wines are on a remarkable path. “We are extremely happy with all the varieties! However, we have found that the freshness, flavour and balance perceived in the Alvarinho, Avesso, Arinto and Azal grape varieties overcome our expectations“, says Pedro Campos, Winemaker at Quinta da Raza..

In the cellar, experienced and dedicated workers smell the fermentation aroma with a smile on their faces, remembering the annual joy of seeing the result of hard work, safely kept.