On the sinuous terraces of a natural amphitheater perched high above the right bank of the Douro river, Quinta de Covela has - for at least five centuries now - straddled the rugged terrain where two of Portugal's best-known wine-producing regions now meet. Downstream, rugged granite marks the landscape of the Vinho Verde region. Upriver, the hot, slate-layered earth is what gives Port wine its heart and soul.
With panoramic views over the river, the Covela estate covers 49 hectares, of which 18 are planted with vineyards that also mark the frontier between two typical villages of the lower Douro - São Tomé de Covelas and Santa Cruz do Douro, both recognized for their natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.
With an eye on keeping Quinta de Covela in the vanguard of wine trends and exploiting the estate's unique potential, a new experimental plot is currently being planted with a dozen or so varieties, mostly Portuguese and rarely known beyond our borders. In coming years, the results of such studies and experiments may well be transformed into new Covela wines or updated versions of some of our existing blends
The wines will continue to be intriguing assemblages of Portuguese and international grape varieties, with local Avesso and Touriga Nacional continuing to be the cornerstones for Covela blends. Arinto, Chardonnay, Viognier and Gewürztraminer complement Avesso in the whites, while Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot Noir - the three main Bordeaux red grapes - blend with Touriga Nacional for reds of strong personality.