History
Domínio do Açor is inserted in a fascinating historical atmosphere next to the village of Oliveira do Conde, a small parish in the Municipality of Carregal do Sal and District of Viseu, in the wine region of the Dão.
To wine lovers and wine travellers, it is inevitable to think that we are walking in Volnay or Vosne-Romanée, when we leave the domaine and enter the old cobblestone streets towards our old winery, located in a charming square, in front of the 17th century Casa dos Buxeiros. But let's go back even further in time...
Due to its strategic geographical location between the Mondego and Dão rivers, with good soil for agriculture and forests for hunting, this region has been occupied by various peoples and civilizations for thousands of years. The Fiais/Azenha Prehistoric Circuit includes several dolmens and other megalithic monuments in an excellent state of conservation, dating back to the 4th millennium BC, very close to Domínio do Açor.
Land of Celtic peoples - the neighboring parish of Cabanas de Viriato pays tribute in its name to the great leader of the resistance of the Lusitanians - until the Roman conquest in the first century BC, the current territory of Carregal do Sal became part of the Roman "civitas" of Viseu. Several Celtic and Roman traces can be admired in the parish of Oliveira do Conde, and even within our property, possibly linked to agriculture since very remote times, as evidenced by the paths, stone wheels and Roman springs that survived to tell this story in Domínio do Açor.
According to Dr. Paula Teles, "the toponym Oliveira do Conde derives from "ulveira", designation of deep land of marshes, domains mentioned in the Letter of Population of the Monastery of Lorvão (1105) and later would become domain of the Counts of Sortelha and the Counts of Vila Nova de Portimão". The historical, geographical and agricultural wealth, and a population dedicated to its exploitation, including winegrowing, "would be strong reasons for royal interest for the attribution of charters and so, in 1286 D. Dinis grants the first charter to Oliveira do Conde and D. Manuel l, on December 20, 1516, the second".
OUR IDEA
To produce great wines of elegance, freshness and minerality in the Dão, valuing the region and its producers, and working in harmony with nature and the local community.
Why Dão?
Dão is considered by many professionals to be the region that can deliver the most elegant white and red wines in Portugal, many even associate its style of finesse with Burgundy.
The natural conditions of the Dão propitiate the elaboration of whites and reds in accordance with the "new aesthetics" of wine: with freshness, the minerality of granite, elegance, taste of place and digestibility.
With global warming, the natural conditions of the Dão protect the style and classic grape varieties of the region, so that there are no great changes as in hotter and drier regions such as the Douro and the Alentejo.
The classic Dão grape varieties are of the highest quality and are increasingly appreciated worldwide, such as Touriga Nacional (originally from the Dão and recognised as the great Portuguese red grape variety), Alfrocheiro, Jaen (Mencia which is very fashionable in Spain), Encruzado (one of the best and most versatile white grape varieties in the country), as well as lesser-known varieties which can produce wines of immense elegance, tension and freshness: Tinta Pinheira (Rufete), Alvarelhão, Bastardo (Trousseau in Jura), Cerceal, Uva Cão, Luzidio, etc.
The geographical beauty of the region is impressive, with its undulating landscape, imposing mountains with thermal or mountain resorts in the Serra da Estrela, rivers flowing through granite valleys, manor houses of great beauty and incredible cities like Viseu, with its great historical and cultural heritage. The potential for wine tourism is gigantic, 1:30h drive from Porto or 2:30h drive from Lisbon. The region's gastronomy is very rich and aligned with the local wines: roast kid, Serra da Estrela cheese, entrecosto (ribs) rice or míscaros (local mushrooms), roast veal Lafões style, etc.
The region is always “top of mind” among Portuguese and foreign sommeliers, ahead of the Douro or the Alentejo.
THE ESSENCE
“DOMAINE ”: A domaine refers to the unique and incomparable quality of Burgundy with regard to finesse and the representation of terroir in wine A domaine lets the voice of the land speak through its wines A domaine inspires confidence in quality, the wines come from its own vineyards, cultivated with care, wisdom and respect for the environment and terroir.
THE PLACE
What makes the Dão unique is being surrounded in all directions by imposing mountains, which protect the region from maritime influence, bring altitude, freshness and the minerality of granite soils. One of the mountains that protects and influences the quality of the wines from our estate is the Serra do Açor, clearly visible from our vineyards and beautiful to visit, with forests, waterfalls and one of the most picturesque villages in Portugal, Piódão
Alluding to our philosophy of making great terroir-driven wines in the Dão, and showing how these wines are the closest to Burgundy in Portugal.
Evoking our sub-region of Oliveira do Conde in Terras de Senhorim, and also the unique effect the surrounding mountains have on the style of the Dão wines.
GALLERY
