Description

Domigos Alves de Sousa took over his family vineyards in 1987 with only a Degree in Civil Engineering under his belt but quickly decided that selling his fruit to many top Port Houses was not the way forward. After training in viticulture and winemaking the first wines appeared in 1992 from his family’s old vineyard of Quinta da Gaivosa. Domingos was joined by his son Tiagos in 2002 while undertaking a degree in Agricultural Engineering and a PHD in Oenology and Viticulture and is now recognised as one of the top young wine makers in Portugal.

Their Giavosa vineyard at 350m to 500m above sea level, with the best vines facing west to maximise the sunlight hours at the cooler western end of the Douro, planted with a mixture of  20 varietals some well over 100 years of age; is also home to the family’s modern winery.

The Primeiros Anos is a result of some replanting in the Gaivosa Vineyards and is made from the young vines mostly Sousão with Tinta Amarela and Touriga Nacional. The ripe juicy spicy dark fruit is aged in 2-3 year old oak barrels for 6 months. this is drinking well.