Quinta do Noval is one of the most revered names in Port, with a history dating back to 1715.

Located in the heart of the Douro Valley near Pinhão, the estate is renowned for its dramatic terraced vineyards and exceptional fruit quality.

Noval is particularly famous for pioneering the concept of single-quinta Vintage Port and for producing the legendary Nacional, made from ungrafted vines.

Noval farms a wide range of indigenous Douro varieties and produces Vintage, Late Bottled Vintage, Tawny and Colheita Ports, as well as high-quality unfortified Douro wines.

The house style emphasises purity, structure and ageing potential. Quinta do Noval is widely regarded as a benchmark for Vintage Port, combining historical prestige with consistent excellence.

The Douro Valley, located in northern Portugal, is one of the world’s oldest and most strikingly beautiful wine regions. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is the historic heartland of Port production and increasingly known for high-quality still wines.

The region is defined by the Douro River and its steep, terraced vineyards carved into rugged schist hillsides. The climate is hot and dry in summer, with cold winters and low annual rainfall—particularly in the eastern Douro Superior. These harsh conditions, combined with poor, rocky soils, result in low yields but highly concentrated, characterful grapes.

The Douro is divided into three sub-regions: Baixo Corgo, with a cooler, wetter climate and lighter wines; Cima Corgo, the traditional core of premium Port production; and Douro Superior, the driest and most remote, now producing increasingly sought-after wines.

Port is typically made from a blend of indigenous grape varieties, each contributing distinct qualities. The most important include Touriga Nacional (structure and aromatics), Touriga Franca (elegance), Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo – backbone), Tinta Barroca, and Tinto Cão. Grapes are often foot-trodden in traditional lagares before fortification.

Touriga Nacional is widely regarded as Portugal’s finest red grape variety, known for its deep colour, intense aromatics, and powerful structure. Indigenous to the Dão region, it is now most famously associated with the Douro Valley, where it plays a leading role in both Port and dry red wine production. The variety has also found success in other regions, including Alentejo, Bairrada, and even internationally in countries like South Africa and Australia.

Aromatically, Touriga Nacional offers a rich bouquet of dark fruits such as blackberry, blackcurrant, and plum, alongside floral notes of violet and rose. It often shows spicy, herbal undertones and, with age, can develop complex hints of liquorice, leather, and cedar. On the palate, it delivers bold tannins, vibrant acidity, and excellent ageing potential.

Despite its high quality, Touriga Nacional poses several viticultural challenges. It is naturally low yielding and has small, thick-skinned berries, which contribute to its concentration but can reduce productivity. The vine is also vigorous and requires careful canopy management to ensure balanced fruit ripening and optimal exposure.

Thanks to its resilience, depth, and distinctive character, Touriga Nacional remains a cornerstone of Portuguese winemaking and a benchmark for quality in both blended and varietal wines.

Touriga Franca is one of Portugal’s most widely planted and important red grape varieties, particularly in the Douro Valley, where it plays a key role in the production of both Port and dry red wines. It is often blended with other native grapes like Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Barroca to create wines with complexity and balance.

Touriga Franca is valued for its elegance, aromatics, and reliable yields. While Touriga Nacional brings power and structure, Touriga Franca contributes finesse, floral notes, and supple texture. It typically offers aromas of red and black berries, violets, and subtle spice, with a smooth, rounded palate and soft tannins. In blends, it enhances aromatic lift and drinkability, while varietal expressions can show impressive depth and ageing potential.

Viticulturally, Touriga Franca is more vigorous and higher-yielding than Touriga Nacional, making it attractive to growers. It is relatively hardy, coping well with the Douro’s hot, dry climate and schistous soils. However, it requires careful canopy management to avoid excessive shading and ensure even ripening.

Though less internationally famous than Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca is essential to the character and success of many Douro wines, offering balance, floral charm, and consistency in both fortified and still wine styles.

Tinto Barroca is a red grape variety native to Portugal, most closely associated with the Douro Valley, where it plays a key role in both Port wine production and dry red blends. Believed to have originated in the region, it is well adapted to the hot, arid climate and steep schistous slopes of the Douro. The vine is vigorous and relatively productive, thriving particularly on cooler, higher-altitude sites where it retains acidity and develops balanced ripeness.

Tinto Barroca’s thin skins make it susceptible to sunburn in intense heat, so careful vineyard management is essential. It is often planted alongside other traditional Douro grapes such as Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Touriga Franca, contributing softness and fruit-forward character to blends.

Outside Portugal, plantings are limited but can be found in South Africa’s Swartland region, where it produces rich, plush reds, and occasionally in experimental vineyards in Australia and the USA.

Wines made from Tinto Barroca are typically deep in colour, with aromas of dark berries, plums, figs, and subtle floral notes. In fortified styles, it brings supple texture and ripe fruitiness; in dry reds, it offers generous body, smooth tannins, and a rounded, approachable profile, making it a valued blending component.

Touriga Nacional is widely regarded as Portugal’s finest red grape variety, known for its deep colour, intense aromatics, and powerful structure. Indigenous to the Dão region, it is now most famously associated with the Douro Valley, where it plays a leading role in both Port and dry red wine production. The variety has also found success in other regions, including Alentejo, Bairrada, and even internationally in countries like South Africa and Australia.

Aromatically, Touriga Nacional offers a rich bouquet of dark fruits such as blackberry, blackcurrant, and plum, alongside floral notes of violet and rose. It often shows spicy, herbal undertones and, with age, can develop complex hints of liquorice, leather, and cedar. On the palate, it delivers bold tannins, vibrant acidity, and excellent ageing potential.

Despite its high quality, Touriga Nacional poses several viticultural challenges. It is naturally low yielding and has small, thick-skinned berries, which contribute to its concentration but can reduce productivity. The vine is also vigorous and requires careful canopy management to ensure balanced fruit ripening and optimal exposure.

Thanks to its resilience, depth, and distinctive character, Touriga Nacional remains a cornerstone of Portuguese winemaking and a benchmark for quality in both blended and varietal wines.

Touriga Franca is one of Portugal’s most widely planted and important red grape varieties, particularly in the Douro Valley, where it plays a key role in the production of both Port and dry red wines. It is often blended with other native grapes like Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Barroca to create wines with complexity and balance.

Touriga Franca is valued for its elegance, aromatics, and reliable yields. While Touriga Nacional brings power and structure, Touriga Franca contributes finesse, floral notes, and supple texture. It typically offers aromas of red and black berries, violets, and subtle spice, with a smooth, rounded palate and soft tannins. In blends, it enhances aromatic lift and drinkability, while varietal expressions can show impressive depth and ageing potential.

Viticulturally, Touriga Franca is more vigorous and higher-yielding than Touriga Nacional, making it attractive to growers. It is relatively hardy, coping well with the Douro’s hot, dry climate and schistous soils. However, it requires careful canopy management to avoid excessive shading and ensure even ripening.

Though less internationally famous than Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca is essential to the character and success of many Douro wines, offering balance, floral charm, and consistency in both fortified and still wine styles.

Tinto Barroca is a red grape variety native to Portugal, most closely associated with the Douro Valley, where it plays a key role in both Port wine production and dry red blends. Believed to have originated in the region, it is well adapted to the hot, arid climate and steep schistous slopes of the Douro. The vine is vigorous and relatively productive, thriving particularly on cooler, higher-altitude sites where it retains acidity and develops balanced ripeness.

Tinto Barroca’s thin skins make it susceptible to sunburn in intense heat, so careful vineyard management is essential. It is often planted alongside other traditional Douro grapes such as Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Touriga Franca, contributing softness and fruit-forward character to blends.

Outside Portugal, plantings are limited but can be found in South Africa’s Swartland region, where it produces rich, plush reds, and occasionally in experimental vineyards in Australia and the USA.

Wines made from Tinto Barroca are typically deep in colour, with aromas of dark berries, plums, figs, and subtle floral notes. In fortified styles, it brings supple texture and ripe fruitiness; in dry reds, it offers generous body, smooth tannins, and a rounded, approachable profile, making it a valued blending component.

Touriga Nacional is widely regarded as Portugal’s finest red grape variety, known for its deep colour, intense aromatics, and powerful structure. Indigenous to the Dão region, it is now most famously associated with the Douro Valley, where it plays a leading role in both Port and dry red wine production. The variety has also found success in other regions, including Alentejo, Bairrada, and even internationally in countries like South Africa and Australia.

Aromatically, Touriga Nacional offers a rich bouquet of dark fruits such as blackberry, blackcurrant, and plum, alongside floral notes of violet and rose. It often shows spicy, herbal undertones and, with age, can develop complex hints of liquorice, leather, and cedar. On the palate, it delivers bold tannins, vibrant acidity, and excellent ageing potential.

Despite its high quality, Touriga Nacional poses several viticultural challenges. It is naturally low yielding and has small, thick-skinned berries, which contribute to its concentration but can reduce productivity. The vine is also vigorous and requires careful canopy management to ensure balanced fruit ripening and optimal exposure.

Thanks to its resilience, depth, and distinctive character, Touriga Nacional remains a cornerstone of Portuguese winemaking and a benchmark for quality in both blended and varietal wines.

Touriga Franca is one of Portugal’s most widely planted and important red grape varieties, particularly in the Douro Valley, where it plays a key role in the production of both Port and dry red wines. It is often blended with other native grapes like Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Barroca to create wines with complexity and balance.

Touriga Franca is valued for its elegance, aromatics, and reliable yields. While Touriga Nacional brings power and structure, Touriga Franca contributes finesse, floral notes, and supple texture. It typically offers aromas of red and black berries, violets, and subtle spice, with a smooth, rounded palate and soft tannins. In blends, it enhances aromatic lift and drinkability, while varietal expressions can show impressive depth and ageing potential.

Viticulturally, Touriga Franca is more vigorous and higher-yielding than Touriga Nacional, making it attractive to growers. It is relatively hardy, coping well with the Douro’s hot, dry climate and schistous soils. However, it requires careful canopy management to avoid excessive shading and ensure even ripening.

Though less internationally famous than Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca is essential to the character and success of many Douro wines, offering balance, floral charm, and consistency in both fortified and still wine styles.

Tinto Barroca is a red grape variety native to Portugal, most closely associated with the Douro Valley, where it plays a key role in both Port wine production and dry red blends. Believed to have originated in the region, it is well adapted to the hot, arid climate and steep schistous slopes of the Douro. The vine is vigorous and relatively productive, thriving particularly on cooler, higher-altitude sites where it retains acidity and develops balanced ripeness.

Tinto Barroca’s thin skins make it susceptible to sunburn in intense heat, so careful vineyard management is essential. It is often planted alongside other traditional Douro grapes such as Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Touriga Franca, contributing softness and fruit-forward character to blends.

Outside Portugal, plantings are limited but can be found in South Africa’s Swartland region, where it produces rich, plush reds, and occasionally in experimental vineyards in Australia and the USA.

Wines made from Tinto Barroca are typically deep in colour, with aromas of dark berries, plums, figs, and subtle floral notes. In fortified styles, it brings supple texture and ripe fruitiness; in dry reds, it offers generous body, smooth tannins, and a rounded, approachable profile, making it a valued blending component.