QN's winery was rebuilt in April 2003 and was increased in relation to its original structure dating back to 1764. A total of 3.5 million Euros were invested in the winery which now has a winemaking capacity of 900.000 litres. The aim of this 2500 sqm project was to place the latest winemaking technology next to some of the current traditional processes still in use. It was designed in such a way so as to make the most of the land's gravity adding 2 fully automated stainless steel lagares (10 tonnes each), as well as other vinification systems and automatic pumping over’s, and highly sophisticated temperature control methods.
THE WINE ATELIER
The Wine Atelier is set in the old granite lagars of the original winery (1764), where we placed wooden vats and several stainless steel tanks totaling 17.800Lt. The idea is to develop small vinifications of lots and sublots of the property and test different maceration and maturation systems. Everything is done manually under strict control, from the grapes selection to the its reception.
This space allows the company to work the wines as study pieces (studere). The concept previews the creation of a wine collection illustrative of the property’s character, with style and personality and working the different varieties as a color palette.
The underground lodge holds 280 barrels for the icon and super premium wines, and is linked to a tasting room which has outstanding views as well as being linked to the central winery through a tunnel that holds all the estate wines. The building is totally covered in natural schist and at a glance can be mistaken with the schist patamares of Quinta Nova.
One of the novelties in the winery construction is its dark cork insulation material that creates excellent thermal insulation in the winery all year round. This is particularly important considering the difficult Mediterranean microclimate the Quinta is in – large temperature ranges (In the summer temperatures can reach as high as 40 to 47ºC, and in the winter it can reach negative temperatures (and even snow in some areas).
The typical Douro architecture was designed by Arnaldo Barbosa, one of the most prestigious Portuguese designers of wineries and who has already quite a history of building wineries in the region. The project was carefully designed so as to fit in naturally with the Douro Demarcated area’s scenery – a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The surrounding area where the oenotourism takes place completes the harmonious and panoramic positioning of the winery.
One of the novelties in the winery construction is its dark cork insulation material that creates excellent thermal insulation in the winery all year round. This is particularly important considering the difficult Mediterranean microclimate the Quinta is in – large temperature ranges (In the summer temperatures can reach as high as 40 to 47ºC, and in the winter it can reach negative temperatures (and even snow in some areas).
The typical Douro architecture was designed by Arnaldo Barbosa, one of the most prestigious Portuguese designers of wineries and who has already quite a history of building wineries in the region. The project was carefully designed so as to fit in naturally with the Douro Demarcated area’s scenery – a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The surrounding area where the oenotourism takes place completes the harmonious and panoramic positioning of the winery.
© Quinta Nova da Nossa Senhora do Carmo.
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