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).