Sogrape Vinhos was founded in 1942 by Fernando van Zeller Guedes, with the ambition of making Portuguese wines known to the world and a long-term vision based on the quality of the wines to be marketed, the importance of the novelty of the brands, and the presentation of its wines. Today, led by the third generation of the founding family, Sogrape Vinhos is increasingly faithful to the goal it has had since it was founded: to be a family-owned company with an international vocation, focused on the production of quality wines, on innovation, and the development of global Portuguese brands. Sogrape Vinhos has about 830 hectares of vineyards in Portugal. Quinta dos Carvalhais is located in the municipality of Mangualde, near Nelas and Alcafache. The soil, the climate, the experience of those who have always produced wine make the Dão truly special. This 105-hectare estate, situated at an altitude of 465-500 metres, has 50 hectares under vine on predominantly granite soils. Warm days and cool nights at this altitude slow down the grape ripening process and result in wines with lovely depth yet vibrant fruit and a signature freshness. Precision viticulture is carried out on the estate with a multitude of different plots matched to specific grape varieties and harvested at different times. The fruit for the 2021 Encruzado was sourced from four different plots. Two cooler plots, one next to the lake on the estate and another often shaded by the oak trees, deliver a vibrant acidity the blend. Another plot with more sandy soils produces intensely aromatic grapes. All of the vineyards are farmed sustainably and harvesting is carried out by hand.