Quinta do Noval is one of the most revered names in Portuguese Port, with its name first recorded in land registers in 1715 and a reputation forged through visionary winemaking and historic declarations such as the celebrated 1931 Vintage Port.

Today the estate sits in the heart of the Douro Valley, a rugged, terraced landscape recognised as one of the world’s oldest demarcated wine regions.

Port is typically made from a blend of traditional Douro grape varieties including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca and others, chosen for depth and longevity, and fortified during fermentation to retain sweetness and boost alcohol. Quinta do Noval follows rigorous selection for Vintage declaration, producing only in years when grapes exhibit exceptional quality, resulting in limited quantities that reflect purity of fruit, harmony and finesse. The estate passed through phylloxera challenges and changing ownership before joining the AXA Millésimes group, which has guided a modern renaissance while honouring its storied legacy. Quinta do Noval also owns the legendary Nacional vineyard, planted with pre-phylloxera ungrafted vines that are among the most prized in the wine world.

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 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.

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.

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.

Tinta Roriz, known as Tempranillo in Spain, is a key red grape variety in Portugal, particularly in the Douro Valley and the Dão region. It plays a vital role in both Port wine and dry red blends, often alongside Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca. In Portugal, Tinta Roriz contributes structure, body, and ripeness, making it a versatile and valuable component in the country’s winemaking.

Aromatically, Tinta Roriz is known for its bold, ripe fruit character, typically showing notes of red cherry, plum, and blackberry, often layered with spice, tobacco, and earthy undertones. It brings good tannic structure and depth to blends, with moderate to high alcohol and balanced acidity, depending on site and ripeness.

Viticulturally, Tinta Roriz ripens early and is generally easy to cultivate, which contributes to its widespread planting. However, it is susceptible to disease, particularly powdery mildew, and can struggle in excessively hot or dry conditions, where acidity may drop and flavours can become jammy. Careful site selection and canopy management are important to maintain balance and freshness.

Tinta Roriz is a cornerstone of many high-quality Portuguese wines, offering structure and richness, and continues to be one of the most important bridge varieties between Iberian viticultural traditions.

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.

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.

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.

Tinta Roriz, known as Tempranillo in Spain, is a key red grape variety in Portugal, particularly in the Douro Valley and the Dão region. It plays a vital role in both Port wine and dry red blends, often alongside Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca. In Portugal, Tinta Roriz contributes structure, body, and ripeness, making it a versatile and valuable component in the country’s winemaking.

Aromatically, Tinta Roriz is known for its bold, ripe fruit character, typically showing notes of red cherry, plum, and blackberry, often layered with spice, tobacco, and earthy undertones. It brings good tannic structure and depth to blends, with moderate to high alcohol and balanced acidity, depending on site and ripeness.

Viticulturally, Tinta Roriz ripens early and is generally easy to cultivate, which contributes to its widespread planting. However, it is susceptible to disease, particularly powdery mildew, and can struggle in excessively hot or dry conditions, where acidity may drop and flavours can become jammy. Careful site selection and canopy management are important to maintain balance and freshness.

Tinta Roriz is a cornerstone of many high-quality Portuguese wines, offering structure and richness, and continues to be one of the most important bridge varieties between Iberian viticultural traditions.

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.

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.

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.

Tinta Roriz, known as Tempranillo in Spain, is a key red grape variety in Portugal, particularly in the Douro Valley and the Dão region. It plays a vital role in both Port wine and dry red blends, often alongside Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca. In Portugal, Tinta Roriz contributes structure, body, and ripeness, making it a versatile and valuable component in the country’s winemaking.

Aromatically, Tinta Roriz is known for its bold, ripe fruit character, typically showing notes of red cherry, plum, and blackberry, often layered with spice, tobacco, and earthy undertones. It brings good tannic structure and depth to blends, with moderate to high alcohol and balanced acidity, depending on site and ripeness.

Viticulturally, Tinta Roriz ripens early and is generally easy to cultivate, which contributes to its widespread planting. However, it is susceptible to disease, particularly powdery mildew, and can struggle in excessively hot or dry conditions, where acidity may drop and flavours can become jammy. Careful site selection and canopy management are important to maintain balance and freshness.

Tinta Roriz is a cornerstone of many high-quality Portuguese wines, offering structure and richness, and continues to be one of the most important bridge varieties between Iberian viticultural traditions.

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.

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.

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.

Tinta Roriz, known as Tempranillo in Spain, is a key red grape variety in Portugal, particularly in the Douro Valley and the Dão region. It plays a vital role in both Port wine and dry red blends, often alongside Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca. In Portugal, Tinta Roriz contributes structure, body, and ripeness, making it a versatile and valuable component in the country’s winemaking.

Aromatically, Tinta Roriz is known for its bold, ripe fruit character, typically showing notes of red cherry, plum, and blackberry, often layered with spice, tobacco, and earthy undertones. It brings good tannic structure and depth to blends, with moderate to high alcohol and balanced acidity, depending on site and ripeness.

Viticulturally, Tinta Roriz ripens early and is generally easy to cultivate, which contributes to its widespread planting. However, it is susceptible to disease, particularly powdery mildew, and can struggle in excessively hot or dry conditions, where acidity may drop and flavours can become jammy. Careful site selection and canopy management are important to maintain balance and freshness.

Tinta Roriz is a cornerstone of many high-quality Portuguese wines, offering structure and richness, and continues to be one of the most important bridge varieties between Iberian viticultural traditions.