The Cardoso Family announced the launch of their first wine from the Tejo region, a production from Alicante Bouschet, Caladoc and Syrah varieties. This new reference shares its name with the land, a property unknown to many until now.

Since 2011, the Cardoso Family has been progressing in the area of wine production with the presentation of multiple references from Herdade da Lisboa (Vidigueira) and Quinta do Reguengo (Douro) and combining it with the already established legacy in olive growing. They now introduce a member of the family that, until now, has remained out of the spotlight: Quinta Dom Rodrigo, a property located in the heart of the Tejo region.

Neighboring the foothills of the Serra D’Aire and Candeeiros, Quinta Dom Rodrigo is located in the municipality of Santarém, in Casével, with 90 hectares of hillside clay-limestone land, of which 30 are old dryland vineyards, which boost the freshness and natural acidity of the grape. Its origins date back to 1560 and, currently, it houses the ruins of a manor house with historical curiosities from the 16th century, such as its coat of arms, which honors the shield in helmet, crest and paquife, on which the weapons of Gil Eanes da Costa were embedded. 

The new Quinta Dom Rodrigo Red 2019 combines the identity of the Alicante Bouschet (50%), Caladoc (30%) and Syrah (20%) varieties. The vinification begins with light crushing and thermal shock, followed by 48 hours of cold pre-fermentation maceration. Soon after, it goes to the full blend stage for 9 months in new French oak barrels and ends the stage in the bottle, where it completed 12 months in March 2022.

It has an intense and concentrated ruby color and an aroma dominated by ripe fruit – plum and blackberry – which, combined with the toasted notes from barrel aging, results in a balanced volume and texture in the mouth. It is a good ally to accompany meat or fish dishes, as well as cheese or sausage boards.

Quinta Dom Rodrigo’s winemaking relies on António Selas’ several years of experience in viticulture and Ricardo Xarepe Silva’s contemporary vision, a collaboration already confirmed and recognized by the launch of the Paço dos Infantes and Convés references.