The People
The estate was founded in 1851 by António Caetano d’Oliveira – one of the king’s adviser – who built the first warehouse in the granite cellar. Today, the winery is run by Manuel Maria Martinho and Rodrigo Martins. Starting from different background, they both met when joining the ISA Master Degree Course in Viticulture and Oenology in Lisbon in 2006. Over recent years they have modernised the winery and produce wines of the highest order. Using traditional methods including foot trodding, all wines are fermented with natural yeasts and aged in top quality French oak barrels.
Click below to hear more about Quinta da Silveira, direct from wine-maker Rodrigo Martins:
The Vineyards
Located in the Valley of Vilariça, Quinta da Silveira boasts 70 hectares of vineyards with the best varieties used to make Port and Douro DOC wines. The estate has multiple terroirs due to the variety of soil, altitude, and sun exposure. The slopes lie on granite shale and the valley is characterised with alluvial soil with some sandy parts towards the north.
They follow sustainable practices including natural weed control and no herbicides are used. Some of the very old plots of vines are mixed, but the majority is planted with a single grape variety, allowing the team to be selective and vinify grapes separately.
The Wines
White
Quinta da Silveira Colheita Branco
Quinta da Silveira Reserva Branco
Red
Quinta da Silveira Colheita Tinto
Quinta da Silveira Reserva Tinto
Port
Quinta da Silveira 10 Years Old Tawny Port
Quinta da Silveira Reserve Ruby Port