The Region
Trás-os-Montes, that mythical land, an administrative region since the 15th century, is a distant place in the Portuguese collective imagination, situated beyond the majestic Marão Mountain Range. The origin of the most sought-after products that grace the tables of the Portuguese, such as wine, sausages, olive oil, chestnuts, almonds, and honey, is invariably associated with this region. The “Trás-os-Montes” brand is synonymous with exceptional quality.
With the construction of the Marão Tunnel, the municipality of Valpaços, which once seemed distant and inaccessible, is now only a one and a half hour journey away from the city of Porto. This closer connection between the two cities has sparked the interest of investors and tourists, opening a new era of prosperity for the region.
The warm Transmontana land, characterized by short but harsh winters, scorching summers, and granitic to schist soils, has been the birthplace of wine production since time immemorial. The municipality of Valpaços, for example, is home to wine presses carved into the granite rock that date back to the Roman occupation of the Iberian Peninsula.
The Valpaços sub-region is uniquely distinct, characterized by a schist terroir and vineyards situated between 450 to 650 meters of altitude. The hot climate of this region promotes the concentration of sugars, resulting in high-quality wines with a higher alcohol content. These wines are granted the DOC (Denominação de Origem Controlada) label, a designation of origin carefully regulated by the Trás-os-Montes Wine Commission.
