-
The Dafni grape variety was saved from extiction by the Lyrarakis family, when it was planted in the ''Psarades'' family vineyard at 480m altitude in central Crete in the early 90's. It's name derives from the laurel (bay leaf) plant, which its called ''Dafni'' in Greek, as the wines produced resembles these aromas. Pair with fried small Fish, seafood like cuttlefish with spinach, white meat, pulses and pies with greens and aromatic herbs -
Domaine de La Vougeraie is born from the assembly of domains acquired over time and the vines of the family. Its history dates back to 1964 with the first vine, Les Evocelles, acquired by our father at his very beginnings. Here, it is in his village that he will have his first lands around Gevrey-Chambertin. The reputation of Domaine de la Vougeraie is well established. This area of excellence is located in Premeaux-Prissey, a small village in Burgundy , near Nuits-Saint-Georges, in the Côte de Nuits . For this cuvée, the estate brings together two small plots in the “ La Rue aux Vaches ” and “ Noyer Bret ” climates . They are planted with Chardonnay and worked in biodynamics , homeopathy applied to the vine. 2018 was a generous, sunny vintage, which managed to maintain a good level of freshness Sylvie Poillot, General Manager, farms the estate’s 42 hectares biodynamically. “We do this to preserve the fertility of soils, and to have a very good balance between the soil and the plant’s health,” she explains. It’s not just the soil health that’s changed: two decades on from their conversion to biodynamics, the wines are evolving too: “The wines are more aromatic and more expressive year after year,” she says. A fascinating 2018: on the one hand, it’s opulent with the warmth of the vintage; on the other, it’s tight with typical Puligny fruit, stone and bite. A superior example. Drink 2022-2028 Great with grilled fish, scallops, lobster, lobster -
Claus Preisinger made his first wine when he was just 20 years old and quickly expanded the 3 hectares of his family vineyards by the Neusiedlersee lake in Burgenland (Austria) to 19 ha. He is the youngest member of Pannobile, a group created to champion the unique character of Burgenland’s terroir and local varieties, and a promising new Austrian producer. Puszta Libre! comes from vineyards lying on the north shore of Lake Neusiedl on very varied sandy loam soils, with flint, quartz, slate and limestone. Basing his work Rudolf Steiner's biodynamic principles, he maintains the natural balance of the vineyard using only organic and biodynamic practices. Puszta Libre! is a tribute to ancient viticulture both in the way it is made and in the way it is presented. Its design is inspired by classic soft drinks and invites you to drink it cold and without preconceived ideas. Drink slighly chilled and with your mates! -
Quinta da Fonte Souto is a new wine project from the Symington family in the exciting Portalegre sub-region of the Alto Alentejo in southern Portugal. -
This wine is made from the noblest and best known Portuguese grape variety(Alvarinho), in a year of exceptional quality. The aroma is intense and very attractive, with flowery and fruity notes, and lemonade hints, in a combination of great character and fineness. Tropical fruit in the mouth, acidity fits nicely with the fruit. Long finish -
Delightful and easy to drink , made from a blend of native Portuguese grape varieties. The vineyards are located in the Lisbon area. Due to its location close to the coast, the alcohol percentage is quite low. Fruity and aromatic, a true crowd pleaser and a summer hit. Go well with light dishes -
Quinta de Cidrô presents the first Alvarinho produced in the Douro, another superb result of the continuous innovation that takes place in the vineyards of the property. The idea to plant Alvarinho in the Douro came from their ambition to produce a high quality white monovarietal from a Portuguese grape variety. A wine marked by fine and delicate aromas of citrus fruit and orange blossom, which presents an excellent aromatic complexity. Expressive and personalized, it is above all a full-bodied Douro wine, revealing flavours that can be guessed at in the aroma. A long and distinct Alvarinho, determined by a crisp acidity and a tasty minerality. -
I have been chasing a 100% Touriga Nacional for a while now, with some disappointments in the middle. Mostly due to knowing the full potential of Touriga Nacional and what can be done with it. Was loosing faith(Poor supplier offering in Ireland) and was actively looking to import myself a few options until I stumbled upon this gem. This wine is the example where no one should judge a book by its cover. Across all Companhia Velha Wines the labels are just minimal, classy but not in the way you would think. Has a bit of I don't give a damn about them and that subtlety actually impresses me even further. No distractions to be added here!!! Bear in mind this winery was one of the first if not the first Wine family business(1756) in the Douro Valley(1763) and it was full integrated when it became the first official wine region in the world. Quinta de Cidrô is located at São João da Pesqueira, which is one of the most highly regarded areas of Douro Valley. Throughout the last 20 years, Cidrô has been transformed into an experimental-model vineyard for the entire region. In virgin soils, cutting edge techniques were employed to plant 150 ha of the best varieties, creating one of the largest surfaces of single vineyard in the entire Douro Region. In the most privileged location, international varieties perform equally well as the local grapes. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Pinot Noir, and the adaptable Cabernet Sauvignon are some of the foreign varieties that here express their best qualities when vinified by the extensive winemaking know-how present at the Company. Touriga Nacional is Portugal’s star variety and the dominant red grape at Quinta de Cidrô. The altitude of this Quinta provides excellent freshness and levels of acidity, ideal conditions for an elegant red wine. Touriga Nacional is a versatile grape, with its main characteristics being the small bundle, its low yield and jagged leaf. Its presence in the vines is intimidating, as it requires a constant care for its wild and rebellious character of growing disorderly. At Quinta de Cidrô, Touriga Nacional was adapted to a less habitual place, as it was mostly planted in low altitude vineyards and subject to high temperatures; the opposite of Quinta de Cidrô. Personally I love it on its own with at least 45 minutes decanting or enjoy really slow the very first drop. Winemakers suggestion for this stunning wine are: Rump Steak, Pork Leg, Parmigiano Cheese and Dark Chocolate. -
Dão is quickly becoming the most sought-after region for Portuguese winemakers to venture into; according to many, it’s one of the world’s most perfect microclimates: mountains protect it from continental heat to the east and Douro’s heat to north, and cool Atlantic breezes come inland to keep the overall temperatures more regulated, making for wines with bright acidity, ethereal aromatics, and compelling complexity. The DO’s granitic soils allow indigenous grapes to shine through in the wines, and provide firm, crunchy tannin against the bright fruit. Alvaro Castro has noted that “if God were to design a wine-growing region, what he would come up with would look a lot like the Dão.” There is no modern Dão without one of the region’s longtime legends, Alvaro Castro, whose estate encompasses two small properties (or “quintas”) known as Pellada and Saes. Alvaro makes wine here with his daughter Maria, carrying on a tradition of winemaking on this property that dates to the 16th century! Together, they have resisted the internationalization push of the ‘80s and ‘90s, instead doubling down on their slow-wine approach, using local varieties grown and crafted in the true Dāo “field blend” style. The Dão is home to the finest plantings of Touriga Naçional in Portugal. The microclimate that protects it from the extreme heat of the eastern winds and the overly wet conditions to the north and west provides a cool, temperate setting for Touriga to showcase its hallmark rose petal aromatics and soft fruit. Aged in neutral oak, this is a pure, unadulterated expression of Dão Touriga. Average age of 15 years. Tended in granite and clay soil at 550m (1811ft) elevation. Pair with roast pork, lighter game like rabbit and quail, and mushroom dishes. -
A Vintage Port is only declared in years of exceptional quality. Quinta do Vesuvio is arguably the most magnificent estate in the Douro valley. Located in the beautiful and austere Port-growing region of the Upper Douro valley, its history dates back to the 16th Century. “The quinta of all quintas – one of the wonders of the world”. At Vesuvio, the work of man and the work of nature achieve a perfect and enduring harmony. More than anywhere else in the Douro it has a haunting and enchanting beauty; when you leave it, you take with you a sense of the place that does not fade with time. Quinta do Vesuvio 2016 will surely make any lunch or dinner a memorable one. It is a fabulous accompaniment to chocolate desserts, such as chocolate pudding, but can also be enjoyed on its own - it is an experience in itself. -
Quinta de Cidrô is located at São João da Pesqueira, which is one of the most highly regarded areas of Douro Valley. Throughout the last 20 years, Cidrô has been transformed into an experimental-model vineyard for the entire region. In virgin soils, cutting edge techniques were employed to plant 150 ha of the best varieties, creating one of the largest surfaces of single vineyard in the entire Douro Region. In the most privileged location, international varieties perform equally well as the local grapes. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Pinot Noir, and the adaptable Cabernet Sauvignon are some of the foreign varieties that here express their best qualities when vinified by the extensive winemaking know-how present at the Company. The Quinta de Cidrô Sauvignon Blanc was the second result of the ongoing experimentation-taking place at this vineyard. -
F. Olazabal & Filhos is a Portuguese winery with 62 hectares located in the town of Vila Nova de Foz Côa, in one of the most prestigious areas of the Douro. The Olazabal family, proud owners and descendants of the founder, Antonia Adelaide Ferreira, are now writing a significant chapter for this iconic estate and the region. Since 1998, Xito Olazabal has been working hard to understand the estate’s complex palette of grapes and terroirs and with his growing experience, skill, and attention to detail, the best out of the estate-grown grapes planted by soil type – alluvial, granite, and schist – are all fermented and aged separately. The resultant wines are then blended together, with different proportions each year, to best represent the estate’s overall terroir and each vintage’s individual character. For a more detail on the history of this amazing Quinta and the role it played in the Douro history Quinta Vale Meão-Portugal - Click Here -
A Vintage Port is only declared in years of exceptional quality. Quinta do Vesuvio is arguably the most magnificent estate in the Douro valley. Located in the beautiful and austere Port-growing region of the Upper Douro valley, its history dates back to the 16th Century. “The quinta of all quintas – one of the wonders of the world”. At Vesuvio, the work of man and the work of nature achieve a perfect and enduring harmony. More than anywhere else in the Douro it has a haunting and enchanting beauty; when you leave it, you take with you a sense of the place that does not fade with time. -
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. -
Casa Relvas is a family project, started in 1997 in São Miguel de Machede, in Redondo, by Alexandre Relvas, which aims to continue the history of five generations with a strong passion for the Alentejo and its genuine nature. Over the years, the family has grown along with the business and it didn't take long for it to total about 750 hectares of Montado forest, 225 hectares of olive groves, and 350 hectares of 100% integrated production vineyards. With the three estates - Herdade de São Miguel, Herdade da Pimenta and Herdade de São Miguel de Machede - Casa Relvas has the capacity to produce 6 million bottles of wine annually, 70% of which is to meet the needs of the foreign market, being present in over 30 countries worldwide, offering the best of the Alentejo. -
Olivier Riviere, founder and winemaker at Rayos Uva Rioja, is originally from Cognac. He studied in St-Emilion and then made wine in southern France and Burgundy before moving to Ribera del Duero in 2004, when he started leasing land and purchasing fruit for his new Spanish blends. Finally, in 2013, Olivier bought his first 3.5 acres in Rioja Alavesa; Rayos Uva is now in its sixth vintage. Olivier's holdings are substantially larger now, but he still sources fruit from his favorite bodegas. Grown by Bodegas Lacus where Olivier is also the winemaker, this 2021 is a blend of hand-harvested Tempranillo and Graciano that is semi-carbonically fermented in tanks with wild yeasts. Aged 10-12 months in tank and concrete foudre. An exciting Rioja with a French artisanal sensibility. Slightly filtered. It is recommended to open the bottle half an hour before consuming it to express the true potential.
All wines will be delivered within 3 working days. Call us if urgent. Thank you for your business
