Ever since they were little children, António and Edmar have accompanied their father in the chores of Quinta de São Bernardo, in the banks of the Douro River. Every secret of the centenary vines, of the traditional vine varieties, of the immemorial processes were disclosed to them with an infinite respect for the terroir. The choice of a future in the winemaking area came naturally.
The first experiences in the production of wine have confirmed the talent and wisdom of that family heritage. When they acquired Quinta da Água, they finally were able to create a portfolio that displays all the character of the best wines from the Douro Region.
Nowadays, two brands stand out to offer the best of 1912 Winemakers. The Piorro wines are made from the typical vine varieties of the region. Starting with the red Colheita, round and refined, very gastronomical, it evolves to a well structured, fresh, harmonious Reserva and ends in a red Grande Reserva that intends to be one icon of the Douro Region. Made with Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca, from the old vineyards with the best solar exposure, it is a wine of intense color, dense and complex aroma, with a long and persistent after taste, unforgettable.
The Piorro brand includes white wines that earned the respect of both the critic and the demanding oenophiles. The white Vinhas Velhas is the outcome of a rigorous selection of the Malvasia Fina, Rabigato, Viosinho and Gouveio centenary vine varieties. The critic João Paulo Martins praises the good color, the elegance of the ripe fruit with hints of barrel toast, that “help the aroma”, the sensation of “white fruit, pear, apple, slight hint of fresh quince” in the mouth, finishing with “we have a table white wine, multivalent, a full white though not heavy, with a long almond after taste”.
Quinta de São Bernardo provides the grapes for two of the other successes of the winery: the Piorro Espumante Branco Bruto and Espumante Rosé. A blend of Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca, the first; Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz the second, they follow the traditional ageing in the bottle methods, for nine months. Balanced, with slim bubble, long after taste, both offer a very elegant tasting.
The portfolio of the winery is completed with the red Encosta do Bocho, a variety that includes Reserva and Grande Reserva. João Paulo Martins highlights the gastronomical qualities of the Reserva, by its “attractive aroma”, the freshness, lightness and versatility. The Grande Reserva, with its intense ruby color, is an aromatically complex wine where the floral and balsamic hints stand out. It surprises by its balance; with firm and ripe tannins and spicy sensation that result in a remarkable persistence.
A company with strong roots in the Douro region, 1912 Winemakers was up to the task. With a blend of passion, respect for the terroir and a love for great wines that can only be found in the favorite children of the Douro Region, the siblings António and Edmar Monteiro dedicate themselves to their centenary art with such a passion that would certainly make their ancestors proud. Both the siblings and their wines deserve our gratitude.
