Following the arrival of a new DOC Douro, the single-varietal Touriga Franca 'Pôpa TF', it's time for siblings Stéphane and Vanessa Ferreira, owners of Quinta do Pôpa, located next to the EN 222 in Adorigo, in the municipality of Tabuaço, to also present themselves as Port wine producers.
After a previous attempt that didn't quite reach the desired level, they are now launching a Vintage Port. From the 2016 harvest and originating from a plot of the oldest vines on the estate, it is presented under the Quinta do Pôpa brand and is limited to only 2.750 bottles of 750 milliliters. A Vintage Port that is “ balanced and fresh, with excellent structure, intense, expressive and very pure fruit. The year [2016] offers tannins that are among the most refined ever ,” says João Menezes, winemaker at Quinta do Pôpa.
The Quinta do Pôpa Porto Vintage 2016 was vinified in lagares (traditional stone troughs), with 50% whole bunches and foot-trodden blending. Alcoholic fermentation took place over four days, with temperature control, followed by the addition of brandy in the lagar and subsequent racking. The must aged in stainless steel tanks.
We are faced with a wine in homage to José Ferreira (Zeca do Pôpa), father of Stéphane and Vanessa (known as Pôpa's grandchildren), the man who managed to fulfill his father's dream. [Grandfather] Pôpa, the illegitimate son of a noble Douro farmer, always cherished the dream of owning a farm in the Douro, where he would produce wine. He died before seeing his son and grandchildren realize his wish.
“ From the beginning of the project, everyone wondered why we weren't producing Port wine. Even us! But everything in its own time. We could only declare the production of Port wine with maturity, both of the project and of ourselves as owners. After 10 years, and after establishing the profile of Pôpa's signature wines, the time has come to move forward with the launch of this Port from Quinta do Pôpa. And if it is to be, let it be a Vintage ,” add Pôpa's grandchildren.
