Ferreira

Founded in 1751, when British shippers dominated the Port trade, Ferreira is the oldest Port house currently in existence and remains a firm favourite in the domestic market. Under the leadership of Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira, one of the formidable widows of the world of wine, the company became the force it is today. Dona Antónia was an astute businesswoman, expanding the company’s vineyard holdings, developing viticulture in the Douro Superior and protecting the company’s library stocks. She also fought to improve the quality of life for impoverished people of the Douro, building schools and hospitals and supporting them during the phylloxera crisis. Dona Antónia was ahead of her time, recognising the importance of vineyard ownership to guarantee quality in a period when most Port houses bought bulk wine from farmers. By her death in 1896, Ferreira had become the largest Douro landowner with numerous illustrious Quintas to her name, including Quinta do Vesúvio, Quinta de Vargellas and Quinta do Vale Meão. In yet another testament to her enduring legacy, the Portuguese public recently voted to name a new bridge being built in Porto, the ‘Dona Antónia Ferreira’ bridge.

Today, Ferreira's flagship vineyard is the 27-hectare Quinta do Porto. Planted in 1771 and acquired by Dona Antónia in 1863, the vineyard is located on the north bank of the Douro, downstream from the village of Pinhão and facing Sandeman’s Quinta do Seixo on the south bank. The combination of this warmer mesoclimate, due to the south/south-west exposure of the terraced vineyards, and proximity to the river, creates Ports characterised by an exuberant ripeness and exceptional concentration, alongside excellent balance. Old-vine parcels, described by winemaker Luís Sottomayor as “over retirement age”, produce low yields of intensely flavoured grapes and form the backbone of many of the top Ports in the Ferreira range. The entire Quinta is dry farmed using sustainable practices and harvesting is carried out by hand.

 

 

 

 

The ‘Dona Antónia’ 10-Year-Old White Port, the most opulent of the Ferreira's white Ports, is a blend of white Ports made from late-harvested grapes and aged oxidatively in cask for 8 to 15 years. Amber in colour with intense aromas of dried citrus peel, nuts and caramel, it perfectly marries oomph and elegance.