Quinta do Cardo

It is on a plateau in Portugal, in Beira Interior, that we find Quinta do Cardo, between the protected landscape of the Douro International Reserve and the historical village of Castelo Rodrigo. At an altitude of 750 m, granite, schist, mountains, fertile valleys, and abundant water mark this land. But also an ancient human occupation and the continental influence of a country on the edge of the Atlantic. Here, some of the best Portuguese wine is produced, coming from a viticultural historical past that goes back to Roman times. Our organic wines are distinguished by their unique personality and the sensory and cultural experience they offer from the unique characteristics of this terroir. The vineyards of Quinta do Cardo are over 90 years old and spread over 79 hectares of certified organic vines. The plateau where they are located has very gentle slopes, receiving sunlight all day, in a field where silence and peace take us back to ancient times. They are protected by the Marofa and Castelo Rodrigo mountains and surrounded by the Douro, Côa, and Águeda rivers. The granite of the soils is a constant, but we also find, with less expression, schist and some sandy soils. The granite geological matrix of Beira Interior Plateau gives the wines a fresh, mineral, and elegant character. Furthermore, the organic production method allows the preservation of native fauna and flora, thus fostering the biodiversity of our agricultural ecosystem, which is reflected in the wine. The name "Quinta do Cardo" comes from the large extensions of milk thistles on the property, which were used for cheese production. In 2009 the vineyards were converted to the organic production system, certified by Sativa. It was an essential step towards protecting biodiversity and the agricultural ecosystem, and in 2014 all the wines from Quinta do Cardo became organic, the largest project with these characteristics in Portugal.