| Region of production: | Douro |
| Winery Location: | Douro Superior |
| Year Established: | 16th century |
Vineyard Holdings
- Quinta do Vesuvio (136 ha): Grade A, north-facing vineyard located on the south bank of the Douro with elevation ranging from 130 to 530 meters. The oldest vines are over 40 years of age. Purchased in 1989.
Top Wines Produced & Inaugural Vintages
- Vintage Ruby: Inaugural vintage 1989.
- Capela: A Vintage Port made with modern winemaking techniques such as saignée, micro-vinification, and handling in smaller lots. It is meant to be the most intense and expressive wine of the estate, only produced so far in 2007 and 2011. Approximately 200 cases on average are produced.
Summary
Vesuvio is mentioned as far back as the 1560s, but its true renown was established during the 1800s through António and Dona Antonia Ferreira. The estate was purchased by the Symington family in 1989 in hopes of returning it to its former glory, and it currently produces only Vintage Port, both in declared and undeclared years. Symington is focused on keeping Vesuvio a smaller house.
Style & Vinification Techniques
All fruit is picked by hand and crushed by foot in granite lagares. Temperature-controlled lagares have been introduced to deal with the region’s heat.
Producer Website: Quinta do Vesuvio