Kranemann Wine Estates
We go through one of the most beautiful roads in the world – or so they say, and I agree! – between Régua and Pinhão. The N222. We travel along Douro River and before Távora River merges with the Douro we turn right and start going up towards Tabuaço, in a succession of curves that can leave the stronger of us feeling nausea, but not because of landscape, obviously!
The valley on our left, alive with vineyards and olive groves, grows wilder and wilder and gets quite impressive. And it is precisely on an extraordinary nature balcony that stands the legendary Quinta do Convento de S. Pedro das Águias. We stop our cars and we realize what we came for – and we stand speechless!
When I first got there two years ago, that’s how I stood. I went to give my expert opinion to a good friend who also worked in the wine business. We were on an analysis mission for Christoph Kranemann, a german in love with wines, living in Canada with strong connections to Portugal, interested in eventually investing in a Douro Valley Quinta. And, who knows, even accomplish a lifelong dream of having a wine property allowing him to fulfill his passion in wines, architecture, and history. Guess what happened?!
Today Quinta do Convento de S. Pedro das Águias is the most emblematic property of Kranemann Wine Estates, the company Christoph created to settle in Douro Valley, this Douro which is so special, filled with high altitude vineyards, schist soils laced with granite, facing north and east. Me, who drive from region to region as if I have minerality on my car license plate, immediately started thinking on the incredible potential of that terroir, even for white wines, those whites so fresh and mineral that I can’t stop chasing them…
But Quinta do Convento de S. Pedro das Águias is much more than that. It is also a fantastic cellar, modern, flowing along the slopes, equipped with great technology. It’s the house of a very interesting heritage of ageing Port Wine of several different vintages. And it is also history, the convent sits there imponent, reminding us that ancient monks left us an incredible introduction to the cultivation of grapevines in the region.
Sharing the vision Christoph Kranemann developed to this special place, we kept exchanging ideas, the conversations got deeper and deeper and in a natural way I ended up being invited to assume the enology and forming the team responsible for expressing the potential of this special place. A challenge I accepted proudly because it includes a very special group of people, starting with Christoph and following the group I surrounded myself with (a very special thank you to Susete and Vasco!). And also because it is in a region that means a lot to me, and where I have always dreamed of having a challenge like this. Once again thank you! Now, let’s get working!
