‍QUINTA DA RAZA Family History

Quinta da Raza has been passed down for four centuries and has always been managed by the Teixeira Coelho family. Today, it is operated by the fifth generation, Diogo Teixeira Coelho. The origins of Quinta da Raza can be traced back to the renowned manor house Casa do Outeiro in the village of Veade, located in the Celorico de Basto region of northern Portugal. This building is believed to date back to the Middle Ages and has been listed as Portuguese public cultural heritage since 1977.

The earliest records of Casa do Outeiro go back to the early 17th century, when it was owned by Francisco Gonçalves. Although historical documentation is limited, the current architectural form originates from a reconstruction after a major firein 1860. The work was led by Inácio Xavier Teixeira de Barros, a member of the royal nobility, blending 18th- and 19th-century architectural aesthetics and echoing the style of the nearby Boavista family estate.

The stone-carved shield on the main façade incorporates the coats of arms of four families—Teixeira, Macedo, Barros, and Carvalho—reflecting a complex background of aristocratic alliances. Numerous large windows and framed doors (26 in total) symbolized the family’s social status at the time, while the fortified-style tower on the roof evokes medieval defensive architecture.

Unlike traditional manor houses, the ground floor of Casa do Outeiro was not used for agricultural purposes. Instead, the storage facilities, wine cellar, mill, dovecote, and cattle shed were located adjacent to the main house, preserving the residence’s comfort and privacy. The front of the house features gardens, a water reservoir, Japanese maples, and European-style hedges, reflecting the horticultural traditions of the Terras de Basto region.

Although the estate also cultivated corn, potatoes, and vegetables, viticulture and winemaking have always been its core focus. As early as the Braga Agricultural Fair of 1863, Casa do Outeiro was awarded the Medal of Agricultural Merit by King Luís I and Queen Maria Pia for its outstanding agricultural achievements.

Today, Quinta da Raza can be seen as the continuation of Casa do Outeiro and remains under the ownership and management of the Teixeira Coelho family. The current proprietors are Diogo and Mafalda Teixeira Coelho. Located in the flat, gently rolling hills of the Raza region, the area’s name was first documented as early as 1769.

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‍Five Generations of Quinta da Raza (1832–Present)

l   1832–1917:Inácio Xavier Teixeira de Barros
Rebuilt Casa do Outeiro after the major fire of 1860. In 1856, he married Teresa do Carmo Teixeira Coelho de Alpoim Freire de Andrade.

l   1868–1950:Ernestina de Barros Teixeira Coelho
Married Miguel Maria de Barros Teixeira Coelho. In 1922, she built the estate’s first stone-built wine press facility at Casa do Outeiro, allowing wine production to be centralized and independent from tenant residences.

l   1910–1987:Inácio Xavier de Barros Teixeira Coelho
An agricultural engineer, he developed apple orchards and cattle farming upon taking over the estate while maintaining vineyard management, delivering grapes to cooperative wineries for winemaking. In 1940, he married Maria Teresa deBarros Teixeira da Mota.

l   1943: Maria José de Barros Teixeira Coelho
Passed on her passion for viticulture to her son José Diogo, who would become the current head of Quinta da Raza.

l   1970: José Diogo Teixeira Coelho
Vineyard owner and estate manager, he took full control of Quinta da Raza(formerly part of Casa do Outeiro) in 1987. In 1996, he married Mafalda Pulido Garcia Cardoso de Menezes and officially established the brand “Quinta da Raza, Sociedade Agrícola e Comercial Lda.”, which includes the labels Quinta da Raza, Dom Diogo, and Raza.

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‍Vision of the Current Owners – Diogo and Mafalda

Diogo has been closely connected to the Basto region since childhood. After his grandfather passed away in 1987, he began actively participating in the winemaking business. His passion for agriculture, along with his dedication and commitment to vineyard transformation, laid the professional foundation for today’s estate.

In 2008,Mafalda joined the winery, taking charge of developing export markets. Since then, the couple has managed Quinta da Raza together, focusing on producing distinctive wines that express the unique terroir of the Basto region. They honor the passion and values of their ancestors while embracing innovation, ensuring that every bottle reflects the true spirit of Quinta da Raza.

SORTE DO ALTO Vineyard – Quinta da Raza

The name of this vineyard comes from traditional terms once used to distinguish local terrain, including “tapadas,” “outeiros” (hillsides), “bouças,” “glebas,”“tacos,” and “sortes.” Historically, Sorte do Alto da Raza referred to the entire vineyard area of approximately 6 hectares. Today, it also includesthe main residence of the current owners, Mafalda and Diogo Teixeira Coelho, and remains the vineyard closest to the winery.

The vineyard was fully renovated in 2017 and is planted with four grape varieties: Alvarinho, Trajadura, Azal, and Vinhão. Occasionally, we lead visitors and special guests on tours of this vineyard, introducing the characteristics and flavor differences of each grape variety.

The short guided tour also highlights our organic garden and animal farm. In the garden, we grow local fruits, aromatic herbs, and various vegetables, including carrots, lettuce, delicious cabbages, and juicy beefsteak tomatoes. The animal farm is home to native Portuguese breeds such as Pedrês chickens, roosters, turkeys, geese, silenced ducks, and Bisaro pigs. This reflects our commitment to free-range, naturally integrated agriculture, where animals coexist harmoniously with nature.

Avesso Grape Variety

✦ Varietal Characteristics and Winemaking Potential

This grape variety is full of oenological virtues. It is a high-quality, vigorous variety with a rustic character. With careful management in both the vineyard and the winery, it can produce wines that are:

• Fresh and aromatic, with floral and mineral notes
• Expressive of citrus and stone fruits such as peach and apricot
• Fuller-bodied and more structured than typical white wines

Another highlight is its aging potential. Over time, Avesso wines develop greater structure and complexity, evolving into mature aromas reminiscent of honey and dried fruits (such as almonds).

Trajadura Grape Variety

✦ Terroir Origin and Current Cultivation
Trajadura is a grape variety native to the Minho region of Portugal, likely originating from the Monção and Melgaço sub-region. Today, it is widely planted across the Vinho Verde wine region, though it is less common in the Baião area.

• Long ripening period: early bud break, late maturation
• Compact grape clusters, pale green-yellow berries
• High-yielding variety

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✦ Aromas and Flavor Profile
Wines made from Trajadura exhibit:

• Bright aromas of apple and ripe pear
• Occasional notes of peach or apricot
• A subtle hint of orange blossom
• Overall soft, approachable mouthfeel

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✦ Acidity and Blending Potential
Unlike other Vinho Verde white grapes, Trajadura has relatively low acidity but accumulates high sugar during ripening, resulting in higher alcohol levels. Itis often blended with high-acidity varieties (such as Alvarinho) rather than vinified alone.

• Provides a smooth, elegant texture
• Balances the structure and tension of high-acid varieties
• Often considered a key component for enhancing harmony in blends

Alvarinho Grape Variety

✦ “The Queen of Portuguese White Grapes”
“Almost everything has been written about Alvarinho.”
Alvarinho is one of Portugal’s most prestigious and recognizable white grape varieties. Renowned by winemakers and grape growers alike as Portugal’s noblest white grape, it is especially prized in the Vinho Verde region, particularly in the Monção and Melgaço sub-regions.

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✦ Growth Cycle and Vineyard Observations

• Late March: Bud break
• End of May: Flowering, with floral aromas signaling the arrival of spring
• End of July: Grapes become translucent, heralding the approaching harvest

Although Alvarinho concentrates intense flavors, it yields relatively small quantities. The berries and clusters are small, with a high seed-to-pulp ratio, resulting in lower juice yield but higher flavor concentration.

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✦ Flavor Profile and Wine Structure
“The majority of aromatic compounds… are found in the skin.”

• Color: Bright, with citrus hues
• Palate: Soft, long-lasting flavors
• Aromatic complexity:
  
   
  • Floral notes as the main character
   
  • Fruit aromas: peach, banana, lemon
   
  • Nutty and caramel-like nuances: almond, honey, and aged character

This variety combines high sugar levels with ample acidity, making it one of the few white grape varieties capable of producing wines with both high alcohol content and excellent aging potential.

Azal Grape Variety
One of the Most Underrated Native Treasures of the Vinho Verde Region.

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✦ Native Variety and Historical Significance
Azal is a native grape of the Basto sub-region within Vinho Verde. In the early 20th century, it was the main variety used for white wine production in the area. Although it is less prominent on the market today compared to Alvarinho or Avesso, the team at Quinta da Raza considers it one of their most representative varieties—resilient and full of character, much like their land and people.

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✦ Terroir Characteristics and Growing Conditions

• Late-ripening variety, requiring long sunlight exposure and an extended maturation period
• Prefers dry, sun-facing plots

• Quinta da Raza provides ideal conditions:
   
  • Excellent south-facing sunlight exposure
   
  • Granite and schist mixed soils
   
  • Pronounced diurnal temperature variation

The grape clusters are medium-sized, compact, and heavy. At maturity, the skins remain green, highlighting their potential for maintaining acidity and freshness.

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✦ Flavor Profile and Palate

• Color: Clear wine with citrus hues
• Aroma:
  
   
  • Lime, lemon, grapefruit, green apple
   
  • Subtle yet delicate and pleasant fruit notes
• Palate:
  
   
  • Refreshing fruit character with a mineral undertone
   
  • Slightly acidic finish
   
  • Signature freshness and vibrancy, which are Azal’s defining traits

 Sorte do Altoda Raza Vineyard

The traditional name of this vineyard can be traced back to old local terms used to describe different terrains, such as “tapadas”, “outeiros”, “bouças”, “glebas”, “tacos”, and “sortes”. Today, Sorte do Alto da Raza refers to the entire vineyard area of approximately 6 hectares. It also includes the residence of the current owners, Mafalda and Diogo Teixeira Coelho, and is the vineyard closest to the winery.

The vineyard was redesigned in 2017 and is currently planted with four grape varieties: Alvarinho, Trajadura, Azal, and Vinhão. Occasionally, we lead short vineyard tours for visitors, introducing the flavors and characteristics of these grape varieties.

Key stops on the tour include the organic garden and the animal farm. In the garden, local fruits, herbs, and various vegetables are cultivated, such as carrots, lettuce, cabbage, and juicy beefsteak tomatoes. On the farm, visitors can see native Portuguese Pedreses chickens, capons, turkeys, geese, silenced ducks, and Bisaro pigs. These free-range animals coexist harmoniously, reflecting the happy connection between humans and nature.

Bouça Fria Vineyard

Located north of Sorte do Alto da Raza, the Bouça Fria Vineyard spans 3hectares and is planted with two red grape varieties. Typically, the varieties are cultivated in single-variety blocks and are often used to produce rosé wines. The main variety here is Espadeiro, used for the renowned Espadal wine, while another popular local variety is Padeiro (locally called Padeirode Basto).

The boundaries of Bouça Fria are clearly defined, forming nearly orthogonal orientations: the south and west sides follow natural boundaries, while the north and east sides border an old agricultural path, Caminho do Alto, which marks the boundary between the parishes of Veade and Canedo de Basto.

The vineyard is situated at a noticeably higher elevation, offering spectacular views of the Marão and Alvão mountain ranges. The area is also home to other vineyards, such as Vinha da Raza and Tapada da Troca.

Vineyard of Raza

Raza is a highly distinctive vineyard, composed of several small plots, each showcasing the diversity of its terroir.

• Western Flat Area: Planted with 3 hectares of Alvarinho and 2.5 hectares of Azal, serving as the vineyard’s main source of white grapes.
• Eastern Gentle Slopes (Tapada da Troca): Planted with Avesso, a variety that has been gaining increasing attention across the Vinho Verde region in recent years.
• Steep Slopes (Tapada do Sargento): Grafted with Trajadura, offering a different expression of the terroir.

• ‍Soil and Environmental Characteristics:

• South-facing slopes with excellent sun exposure
• Granite-based soils rich in loam and clay, providing superior water retention
• Ideal conditions for the growth of high-quality wine grapes

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Quinta da Raza’s Sustainability Commitment | A Multi-Generational Vision for the Land

We are facing an environmental crisis that directly impacts the future health of our planet and humanity. As a family-owned winery, we have always approached our land and decisions with a long-term perspective. As Diogo Teixeira Coelho, the fifth-generation steward of Quinta da Raza, says:

"Investments in agriculture often take ten years to show results."

Therefore, we must respond to contemporary environmental challenges with the same creativity and pioneering spirit as our ancestors. We understand that producing high-quality wines sustainably relies on:

·        Astable climate

·        Healthy ecosystems

·        People who uphold integrity, ethics, and responsibility

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In Harmony with People and the Land
The growth of Quinta da Raza is built not only on vineyards but also on:

·        The responsibility and resilience of our team

·        Support from suppliers and partners

·        The strength of local communities

We strive to promote positive social change, aiming for a more inclusive society and a healthier natural environment.

Embracing the Power of Terroir Between Tradition and Innovation

At Quinta da Raza, sustainability is not just a slogan—it is a practice. We focus on cultivating and preserving Portugal’s native grape varieties, many of which previously existed only in academic collections (ampelographic collections). Our ongoing effort is to bring these varieties back to the terroir and onto the dining table.

Pioneers in National-Level Sustainability Certification

We are the first winery in the Vinho Verde region to achieve the ViniPortugal Wine Sustainability Standard certification. This journey has not been easy, but every step has been a source of motivation. More importantly, we understand that this is a journey without an endpoint—a continuous process of improvement and lifelong learning.

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