COLOUR
Red
TYPE
Still
VINTAGE
2023
GRAPE
Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, Jaen, Tinta Roriz
PRODUCER
Freire Lobo
REGION
Dão
CHARACTERISTICS
Body
Medium
Sweetness
Dry
Acidity
Medium - High
Finish
Medium - Long
Intensity
Mid - Pronounced
Tannins
AROMAS & FLAVOURS
ABOUT THIS WINE
Freire Lobo is a distinguished estate located in Oliveira do Hospital, within the high-altitude foothills of Portugal's historic Dão region. Led by Elisa Freire Lobo, the first woman-led estate winemaker in the Dão, the winery focuses on preserving the unique terroir of their family lands, which date back to 1956. After transitioning the vineyards to organic farming starting in 2010, Elisa has championed a low-intervention approach that highlights the region's granitic soils and cool climate. The estate famously overcame devastating regional wildfires in 2017, subsequently introducing active beehives to restore the local biodiversity and ecosystem.
ALCOHOL
13.0%
AVG. PRICE
€16
STYLE
Classic
SULPHITES
YES
When to drink
Now or Later
Ideal temperature
12-18°C
INTERESTING FACTS
Fact 01
Winemaker Elisa Freire Lobo is recognized as the first woman-led estate winemaker in the historic Dão region.
Fact 02
The vineyards are naturally fertilized by a family flock of 300 Serra da Estrela sheep that graze the rows during the winter.
Fact 03
The estate survived catastrophic wildfires in 2017, prompting the winemaker to install beehives to rebuild the local ecosystem.
FOOD PAIRING
Read more
WINE MAKING PROCESS
The winemaking process for the Vigno Tinto focuses on preserving fruit purity and mineral expression without any oak influence. Grapes are hand-harvested in two distinct phases to ensure optimal ripeness: Jaen and Tinta Roriz are picked first, followed by Touriga Nacional and Alfrocheiro a week later. The grapes undergo traditional foot-treading in open-top vats (lagares) for gentle extraction. Spontaneous fermentation is carried out using only indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged on its fine lees in stainless steel for several months and undergoes natural cold-stabilization during the cold winter months before bottling.
