Why it matters
The producer
The earliest reference to Quinta de Carapeços dates to 1338, when a daughter of Martim Carvalho married João de Carapeços. The property belonged to the Monastery of São Salvador de Travanca from the beginning of the seventeenth century, then was sold after Portugal abolished its religious orders in 1834.
Miguel Pereira de Abreu, a lawyer whose family had longstanding links to agricultural properties in Amarante, Felgueiras and Penafiel, later reconverted the estate's agricultural land. He replaced traditional overhead ramadas with platforms for vines trained in rows and introduced varieties better suited to the local terroir. He also pioneered Alvarinho outside the Melgaço Monção subregion.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Quinta de Carapeços sits in Santa Cristina, within the municipality of Amarante in the Vinho Verde region. Miguel Pereira de Abreu's Alvarinho work placed the grape outside the Melgaço Monção subregion and established it within the estate's Amarante setting.
The grape list extends beyond Alvarinho. Trajadura, Vinhão, Espadeiro and Azal are used by the estate, while Touriga Nacional appears in the wider range of wines.
Wines to know
The range in view
The range includes white, red, rosé, sparkling and late harvest wines. Quinta de Carapeços Alvarinho is a white made solely from Alvarinho. Quinta de Carapeços Alvarinho Trajadura is a white made from Alvarinho and Trajadura. Quinta de Carapeços Espadeiro is a varietal Espadeiro rosé.
The Alvarinho has intense floral and citrus aromas with a long fruity finish. The Alvarinho Trajadura is balanced, refreshing and soft, with texture from Trajadura's lower acidity and a citrus aroma. The Espadeiro has pronounced pink colour, an intense nose, balanced acidity and a strongly refreshing character.