Quinta do Tedo
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In the heart of Portugal’s Alto Douro, surrounded by terraced vineyards that climb high above the dramatic confluence of the Douro and Tedo rivers, sits an eighteenth-century estate, Quinta do Tedo. Proprietors Vincent Bouchard and Kay Steffey Bouchard brought traditions from Burgundy and California and have revitalized the Quinta and winery and created new distinctive Ports and Douro wines.
They were among the first Port producers to practice “culture raisonable” (responsible and sustainable agricultural practices), and the winery was certified organic in 2010. The average age of the vines is thirty years, and their yield of 1.5 tons per acre (27 - 30 hectolitres per hectare) creates very concentrated flavours. Planting is closely-spaced (as is traditional in the Douro) on steep terraces of rocky schist soil. Eighteen varietals of red grape are planted, mainly Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Cão, Touriga Nacional and Touriga Francesa. The vineyards are divided into five parcels, each separately vinified. All the grapes come from the 35 acres (14 hectares) of class "A" vineyards, owned by the Bouchards. The “A” rating from the Portuguese Instituto do Vinho do Porto, is the highest rating possible, equivalent to Grand Cru.
Quinta do Tedo has a Single Quinta classification, the Portuguese equivalent to an Estate, Domaine or Azienda. The Quinta is bordered by the Tedo river to the west, the Douro river to the north, and to the east and southeast by large, carved feitoria stones which mark the landscape like sentries. These antique granite stones come from the first Douro appellation demarcation, dating back to 1756.