Collection: Vale dos Ares

Vinho Verde

Miguel Queimado’s ancestors built a house and cellar at Quinta do Mato in 1683 however, until Miguel launched the Vale dos Ares’ label in 2013, wine was only made for home consumption and most of the estate’s grapes were sold.  Located in the heart of the Monção e Melgaço sub-region - Vinho Verde’s Alvarinho hot spot – the Agricultural Engineering graduate seized the opportunity to elevate the site’s potential when his grandmother agreed to let him start re-structuring the vineyards in 2006.  He reasons, “I have one grape, so if I want different styles, I need to individuate; you can do it the winery, but I want to focus on the differences in the vineyard.” 

Representing the cream of the crop (grapes are still sold to the local co-operative), Vale dos Ares four Alvarinhos reflect parcels ranging in altitude from 150m to 300m, with different soil types (granitic and schistous), soil fertility, aspect, row orientation and vine age.  The Colheita is the estate’s fruitiest example, whilst the estate’s most structured Alvarinho from Vinha da Coutada undergoes fermentation and ageing in French oak.