Spirit
In Santa Comba Dão, close to the Aguieira dam reservoir, at the mouth of the river Dão, the estate has a location of great beauty and tranquillity.
Surrounded by the mountain ranges of Estrela, Caramulo, Buçaco and Lousã, it has exceptional geological and climatic conditions, with very low temperatures in winter and very high temperatures in summer. Large temperature variations are also recorded between day and night, especially in Summer.
These characteristics and others specific to the place combine in a unique and rare balance, creating an extraordinary terroir with a tradition of producing wines capable of reaching centenary ages.
The proximity to the reservoir creates special humidity conditions for the formation of morning mists that provide slower and more balanced maturation and contribute to the great freshness of the wines.
Our winemaking philosophy is based on:
the least possible intervention and careful observation of nature,
allowing it to express itself in all its dimensions and fully realise its work.
The preservation of the environment and respect for biodiversity has led to the choice of sustainable practices.
Respect for human values, care for those who work with us and concern for contributing to the local community is also an unwavering commitment.
Each vine has a story to tell and expert hands help to reveal it. One by one they are carefully analysed and sculpted to achieve the ideal balance.
Every stage of this complex process contributes to the revelation of a great terroir.
In the entirely manual harvest well-trained eyes do not choose the bunch, they also select the grape capable of creating wines that the memory will not forget.
Primado is synonymous with rarity in that the wines are exceptional,
revealing a remarkable evolution for many years after their harvest.
The greatness of wines lies in their ability to improve with age and reach their full potential over the years.
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I am convinced that determination and patience are indispensable characteristics when the goal is excellence.
Rare are the wines that improve with long aging. Only great wines have this potential.
Time shapes the initial impetuosity, provides the harmonization of the components, intensifies the complexity and refines the elegance.
Manuel Pereira de Melo
Each vintage is influenced by many factors but only excellence determines which wines are worthy of becoming Primado!
The technical expertise of a superior team combined with the rigour of artisanal work takes winemaking to new heights of excellence.
A serious and meticulous winemaking process combines modern technologies with traditional methods, in particular foot treading.
The vinification is carried out at controlled temperature to extract the full potential of structure, colour and aromas, through careful maceration at low temperatures so that fermentations are slow and prolonged.
All our wines are submitted to an ageing process that suits each wine. Regardless of the type of wine, they all age in the bottle for no less than 12 months.
Wines that are aged in wood remain in 225 and 500 litre French oak barrels for no less than twelve months. The bottle ageing of these wines is very long.
