Those who visit the Estate swear that nowhere else in the world have they had such a warm welcome as in the secular house of Eurico Ponces de Amaral and Maria Cremilde, his wife. Those who tasted the wines produced there state that they are as memorable as the couple’s legendary hospitality.
Built in the 19th century, the Casa da Quinta da Fata occupies 10 hectares, 6,5 of which are vineyards that produce 30 thousand bottles a year. In a gentle slope facing south, Portuguese and international grape varieties are cultivated. With a majority of Touriga Nacional, that has been honoring the wines of the region for quite some time, the Quinta produces smaller parcels of Encruzado, Tinta-Roriz, Alfrocheiro and Jaen.
Eurico Ponces de Amaral is very thorough in what concerns the elaboration of his wines. They are produced in the estate, though ancient processes, with fermentation in granite winepresses and stage in French and American oak barrels, where they acquire body and volume causing the exquisite aroma of the Touriga Nacional to emerge.
The outstanding features of the wines have been awarded numerous prizes, both national and international, such as gold and silver medals in the “Challenge International du Vin”, in the “Mundus Vini” contest and the first prize in the “Concurso Melhor Vinho do Dão” (Best Dão Wine Contest).
In the house portfolio stands out an Encruzado white wine, with good volume, good acidity, for those who appreciate mineral and astringent identities. Among the red wines, we point out a Reserva Clássico composed by a blend of three varietals, very expressive in the mouth and supple in the body. The red wine Reserva, with less wood, is a blend of Touriga Nacional and Roriz that the wine critic João Paulo Martins acclaims due to its “floral sensation”, in a “fresh and elegant accent” and “quality fruit”; while the red wine Touriga Nacional reveals, in his words, “a good mouth profile, round and tuned”, combining “volume and strength” with a “lively acidity” displaying freshness.
Besides the Quinta da Fata wines, the house presents homage to an ancestor of the family: the red wine Conde de VilarSeco. Exclusively made with Touriga Nacional, this unique edition (also available in magnum size and capacity) has been widely praised by its impressive wine tastings and its harmony that renders the critics speechless.
Gone are the days when the Dão wines were sold in bulk in the Portuguese taverns. In our days, the Wine Region is responsible for some of our most exclusive and original creations. A group of exceptional producers, like Quinta da Fata, has been developing a remarkable work in the national and international promotion of these creations so that one day not too far they may be worldwide recognized and tasted with the passion they deserve. After all this is the heart of the Dão Region!
