Month: March 2019

The forest at Quinta dos Lagares was recently awarded Sustainable Forest Management Certification by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), making it the first and only one in the Douro to be certified by this demanding organization.

Quinta dos Lagares extends over a natural amphitheatre that reaches its highest point on the Favaios plateau, at 560 meters, and descends to 260 meters, close to the Pinhão river.

These conditions, combined with a history of less intensive land use, have resulted in a diverse and rich landscape, characterized by a balance between the production and protection components, where the ratio between vineyard area and spontaneous vegetation area is 1 to 1, possibly one of the highest in the Douro Demarcated Region.

The forest cover is made up of cork oaks, pine forests and Mediterranean scrubland – the latter composed of the typical species of the region, especially the strawberry tree, but also including holm oak, juniper, black oak and chestnut – and extends throughout the property, cutting through the agricultural areas and thus ensuring a discontinuity of vegetation that enriches the landscape and contributes to maintaining biodiversity, while ensuring more balanced water and soil management.

The forest area has also been actively managed through the positive selection of undergrowth and the management of cork oaks, strawberry trees and pine trees, the densification of some patches and the planting of other native species. In order to take advantage of and enhance this floral biodiversity, honey is farmed (in consortium with a local producer).

The water from the various existing mines is stored in different tanks, avoiding the use of pumps whenever possible.

In addition to the vineyard being managed under the rules of Integrated Production, and the olive grove being certified as organic, all the other activities on the property are carried out taking into account water consumption and quality, soil protection and the maintenance of biodiversity.

The wine production process is also carried out within the criteria of no or minimal use of exogenous products, a reduced use of plastics and the use of materials that reduce the environmental footprint, such as the use of lightweight bottles (approximately 60% of the weight of a normal bottle).

The olive oil produced by Quinta dos Lagares has once again won the gold medal at the prestigious New York International Olive Oil Competition.

Zabodez comes from the olive groves of Quinta dos Lagares, some of which are centuries old and are currently maintained in duly certified organic farming. These are olive groves in the Douro tradition, in which the typical varieties of the region are mixed and randomly distributed: Madural, Cobrançosa, Verdeal, Cordovil, Bical and Galega, except in the most recent one-hectare grove, which is full of Cobrançosa and is just starting production.

A batch of olive oil created by consultants Nuno Rodrigues and José Alberto Pereira, from the Escola Superior Agrária de Bragança, Zabodez is produced in Agrifiba’s modern mill and is obtained using exclusively mechanical and cold processes, and is classified as extra virgin. It has very low acidity (<0.2), a medium green fruitiness and an aroma with fresh notes of cabbage, grass, tomato stalks, green apples, green tomatoes, banana peel and dried fruit. In the mouth, it reveals a slight bitterness and a strong, persistent spiciness.

It is marketed directly by us (geral@quintadoslagares.pt) and is also on sale in some gourmet stores, such as the LOA store in Lisbon or the Famiglia Restaurant in Porto (Leça do Balio).

The world-renowned olive oil competition has been held in New York for the last six years and this year involved around 1,000 olive oils from 27 countries. The awards are announced during a gala in New York attended by producers, distributors and international media, in an event that highlights this product of excellence from the Mediterranean.