Casa Ferreirinha Press en
Casa Ferreirinha Press en
Casa Ferreirinha Press en
BRAND IDENTITY
•in itsCasa Ferreirinha is a brand specialised in producing top quality Douro DOC wines. This brand,
very name, pays direct tribute to Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira. A singular figure in the de-
velopment of the Douro Vinhateiro in the nineteenth century, her intelligence and kindness won the
admiration of her Douro contemporaries, who affectionately called her “Ferreirinha”.
•ble, Aexpertise
profound knowledge of the Douro region, the ability to grow and source the best grapes availa-
to select the most appropriate oenological methods have been producing these wines
for over twenty years to guarantee Casa Ferreirinha an exceptional portfolio. A true biography of
the Douro, from the youthful Esteva to Vinha Grande and the classic maturity most celebrated in a
Portuguese wine.
•Ferreirinha’s
Created in 1952 - and since then only released in years of truly exceptional harvest - Casa
Barca Velha is recognised by connoisseurs as the true icon, not only of the Douro but
Portugal in general.
•ched
In 2011, as a tribute to Dona Antónia to mark the bicentennial of her birth, Casa Ferreirinha laun-
AAF - Antónia Adelaide Ferreira, a wine that reflects the true complexity and richness of Douro
wines.
•years.
Casa Ferreirinha’s experienced oenological team has only ever known three leaders in over 60
All three have worked together and shared their expertise, they are: the legendary Fernando
Nicolau de Almeida, José Maria Soares Franco, and since 2007, Luís Sottomayor.
•grapes
Before purchasing Herdade de Peso, Sogrape Vinhos had, since 1992, a contract to purchase
from the property.
•challenge
Quinta da Leda, the brightest jewel in the Casa Ferreirinha portfolio, sets a whole new oenological
for the Douro region, with the most modern systems of cultivation and vinification. Touriga
Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca and Tinto Cão are the main grape varieties
planted over approximately 160 hectares.
•ment,
At Quinta da Leda, experience and science have identified 30 hectares that require special treat-
so throughout the year, there is a dedicated team of 18 people who work exclusively on these
vines with the most precise viticultural techniques available.
SUPREME DOURO
Casa Ferreirinha is a reference point for Douro wines. It has built this reputation as an asset of A.A.
FERREIRA, one of the historic Port houses also renowned for Douro DOC wines, whose history
can be traced as far back as 1751. Thanks to the ingenuity of Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira, the
company grew in both size and reputation. Presenting a rich and diverse selection, the portfolio bo-
asts the legendary Barca Velha, includes other gems such as Reserva Especial, Quinta da Leda or
Callabriga and is underpinned by the well-known volume wines such as Vinha Grande, Papa-Figos
and Esteva.
Casa Ferreirinha has been owned by Sogrape since 1987 when the company acquired the entire
share capital of A. A. Ferreira. Since the change of ownership, Casa Ferreirinha has seen the va-
lues on which it was built and consolidated throughout its history fully respected, while also benefi-
ting, from significant investments in technology. In particular the modernisation of the prestigious
and beautiful Quinta da Leda, has helped to reinforce the perception of the brand as synonymous
with Douro wines of the highest quality.
In fact, situated in the east region of the Douro, Quinta da Leda is one of the brightest jewels in the
Ferreira portfolio and has enabled Casa Ferreirinha to create wines of great complexity and structu-
re, with ageing potential but full of freshness and vigour. It is here, that the excellence of Douro DOC
wines is confirmed and here that reputations are made.
When discussing the success of Casa Ferreirinha, it is important to touch on the dream of oeno-
logist, Fernando Nicolau de Almeida. He joined FERREIRA in 1929, and since the 1940s, worked
tirelessly to produce a Douro red wine with the same philosophy of quality and care dedicated to
a Vintage Port.
Under the name Barca Velha, this dream became a reality in 1952 when nobody else was thinking
about making great red wines in the Alto Douro. As Ana Sofia Fonseca, author of “Barca Velha,
Histórias de um Vinho”, wrote, we are in the presence of a rare red wine that is a consequence of
“a tangle of events and notable figures”.
2
The production of Barca Velha, which was to become the icon of Casa Ferreirinha as well as Por-
tugal, represents an ambitious lesson in oenology, given the innovation of the methods used by
master Fernando Nicolau de Almeida and his team. Together, they had to overcome technical
difficulties concerning the balance of maturity/natural acidity in the Port wine grape varieties as well
as the control of fermentation, particularly the temperature, to ensure the desired superior quality.
The Casa Ferreirinha oenological team solved the problem of maturity with the selection of grapes
from different altitudes within the Douro Superior, which varied depending on the vintage, to achieve
the desired acidity. On the issue of fermentation control, the solution was to adapt the technology
imported from France by remounting pumps inside vats, to obtain the desired extraction.
Temperature control was achieved through the use of ice, which was transported (imagine that!) from
Matosinhos to Pocinho in trucks, to ensure that alcoholic fermentation remain between 28 and 30 ˚C.
The growth of Casa Ferreirinha is quite simply a lesson in oenology and it is this that has determined
the evolution of these wines to become a benchmark for quality Douro wines. This evolution was
enriched by the purchase, in 1979, of Quinta da Leda. Plantings at Quinta da Leda came on stream
in the mid-80’s to produce grapes that allowed for the increase and improvement in the production
of wines from this great brand.
And if the company story does not have enough high points, the construction, at Quinta da Leda, of a
state-of-the-art winery in 2001 takes this story to a different level. This is the winery that has allowed
the Casa Ferreirinha oenological team, today headed by Luís Sottomayor, to preserve the values of
innovation and quality promoted by the brand since its foundation.
All these things give Casa Ferreirinha a history full of passion and emotions. Casa Ferreirinha has
become more than just a story and has attractive a faithful following.
3
Two centuries after the birth of Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira (1811-1896), affectionately nicknamed
“Ferreirinha” by her countrymen, keeping alive the memory of this singular figure in the history of the
Douro Vinhateiro, is to provide a fitting tribute to a woman who became a symbol, not only of entrepre-
neurship and Douro viticulture, but also as a shining example of selflessness and generosity towards
the less fortunate.
The story in the newspaper “O Primeiro de Janeiro” about the funeral of “Ferreirinha” is emotional and
eloquent: during the four kilometer journey of the funeral procession from Quinta da Nogueira and
Régua Church, 300,000 Douro inhabitants flanked the road and knelt as the remains of the “saint” and
“mother of the poor”, as Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira was also known, went by.
Dona Antónia died on 26 March 1896, in her 85th year. She had led an intense life dedicated to ser-
ving the cause of the Douro Vinhateiro and its inhabitants, especially the poor and disadvantaged.
She was undoubtedly one of the most striking personalities in the history of one of the first and most
important wine-making regions in the world.
This petite, but also vibrant and bold woman became a rare symbol of entrepreneurship and is now
remembered as an example of tenacity in the fight against poverty and tragedy that befell the Douro
region as a result of the phylloxera plague, destroying large vineyards and ruining the lives of many
farmers and their families. In this scene of desolation, Ferreirinha was able to respond with firmness
Heir to a wealthy family from the Douro with an important business interest in the cultivation of vi-
neyards and the production of Port wine, Dona Antónia saw fit, at the age of 33 and recently widowed,
to assume the leadership of the family business and try to develop what would become the Casa
FERREIRA. This mission she fulfilled with rare brilliance, revealing an extraordinary vocation as a
businesswoman.
But Dona Antónia was not limited to managing the family wealth. Instead, she invested so passiona-
tely and fearlessly in the Douro region she so loved so much with few guarantees or state support.
Ferreirinha was said to be generous with the poor and the weak, but haughty and stand offish with the
rich and powerful; and was as natural in a modest worker’s home as she was in the Royal Palace. All
these attributes, joined together with the reputation for fine wines, acknowledged and awarded at the
most prestigious international exhibitions, all contributed to this mythical aura acquired by this woman,
unique in the business world and in the Douro region.
STORY OF A SHIPWRECK
It is in the year 1861 when tragedy faced Dona Antónia in the waters of the Douro, a river that
Ferreirinha so adored. Having departed by boat from one of their farms in the company of her
second husband, Francisco Torres, and a group of friends including Baron Forrester, owner of
the Port house of Offley, Dona Antónia faced death when the ship sank when passing through
the treacherous Cachão da Valeira.
As the story goes, Dona Antónia was saved because her skirts formed a kind of balloon that
kept her afloat until the time it took for help to arrive. The same fate did not save the cook,
Gertrudes, one of Torres’ servants, or Baron Forrester, who sank and was never to be found.
It is claimed that he sank without trace because he always carried a special belt with a large
amount of gold coins.
Dona Antónia thus lost a very special friend and the Douro saw a man truly passionate about
the region disappear. His cartography is still unique today, and his legacy as one of the
major drivers of the international promotion of the Offley brand and of Port wine in general.
Dona Antónia’s social conscience went far beyond the support provided to families of workers she
employed on her land and in her wineries. This is reflected in her investments in the construction
of kilometres of roads and railroads in the region, which provided employment to over a thousand
workers, or in her contributions to the building of hospitals in Peso da Régua, Vila Real, Moncorvo
and Lamego, as well as providing aid to Misericóridia in Oporto and many other charities. She lived
her life according to a principled maxim: “Each in their own country must do all that is for the good
of humanity”.
A successful woman in a world dominated by men, Dona Antónia developed, as very few have,
strong values for this family business. She developed a company culture - founded on ethics,
respect and solidarity – promoting, as best she could, closer relations between wine production
and commercial activities. She combined the importance of tradition and technical innovation in
viticulture and wine production and by making the quality of wines the the driving force behind this
company.
But the great legacy of Dona Antónia far surpassed the fabulous fortune that she left. She left, abo-
ve all, a myth and reputation as the symbol of strength in the Douro, mourned by the needy, as the
defender of values of integrity and ethics that belonged to a businesswoman whom the powerful
also respected.
To sustain the memory of this symbol of tenacity and kindness, Sogrape and the descendants of
the Ferreira family created the Dona Antónia Award in 1989, a prize that annually distinguishes a
Portuguese woman who represents the entrepreneurial spirit through her organisational and busi-
ness management practices so revered by Ferreirinha.
Dona Antónia had always shown a rare ability to gather up all assets inherited from the family, spe-
cifically via the death of her father and husband. Through her management, she facilitated the
strengthening of the family property and the consolidation of a fabulous fortune. It is no wonder then,
that Ferreirinha and her daughter, Maria da Assunção, then only 11 years old, represented in 1853,
valuable prospects.
And it was precisely the improper and unacceptable attitude of a suitor who tried to force the marria-
ge of her daughter that ended up dictating one of the most unusual, mysterious and even dramatic
episodes in the life of Dona Antónia. Things became so difficult that she even had to leave the
country.
The chronicles of the time affirm that Dona Antónia refused the request for her daughter’s hand. Mar-
shall Duke of Saldanha, João Carlos Gregório Vicente Francisco de Saldanha de Oliveira e Daun,
approached Dona Antónia Antónia Antónia for her daughter, Maria da Assunção, to marry his son.
There were many friends and acquaintances who interceded in favour of this marriage, but Dona
Antónia remained firm in the belief that her daughter was still too young and advised the Marshall to
wait a few more years to make the proposal.
The pressure never eased and on 25 August 1854, something took place that forced a series of dra-
matic events. According to Dona Antónia’s supporters, the son of the Duke of Saldanha, João Carlos
Saldanha de Oliveira e Daun, and the head of a delegation that included Maria de Assunção’s own
brother, Bernardo António Ferreira (who was promised a commendation for his support), burst throu-
gh Quinta de Travassos, Douro, at two o’clock in the morning, accompanied by a band of armed
criminals, to try to abduct the girl, who was thought to be there with her mother.
The mission failed because Maria da Assunção was then in Régua with her mother, which enabled
them both to escape, first to Lamego to a friend’s house, and then to London. Because of the conti-
nuing persistence of the Duke, on the 5th of September, they had to escape, disguised as peasants,
via Galicia, eventually embarking in Vigo, on September 20th, to London. They left Portugal in the
company of her friend and steward, Francisco José da Silva Torres, who eventually became Dona
Antónia’s second husband.
Whilst in Vigo, Dona Antónia decided to blow the lid off the scandal and publish her version of events
to challenge the newspaper that had originally published the story. This caused a huge stir and
enforced the criminal conviction of the director of the Períodico dos Pobres in Oporto for not having
proved the involvement of the Duke of Saldanha in the kidnap attempt.
In any event, Dona Antónia only returned from London after the son of Marshall Saldanha married
the daughter of Count Bolhão and when she herself married for the second time the former adminis-
trator, José Francisco Torres da Silva. This strength of character is perceived as revealing her ability
to confront the power and the powerful, but also to reaffirm her focus on the administration of her
family’s interests.
DOURO STRENGTH
The Douro region, where Port wines and the excellent DOC wines of Casa Ferreirinha are produced,
has been one of the first and most important demarcated wine regions of the world since 1756.
The origins of vine cultivation in the Douro region are lost in the dust of time, but were known to
increase significantly during the Roman occupation. The development of viticulture in the Douro
Valley started in the twelfth century, following Portugal’s independence. The first exports to France
date back to the thirteenth century. Nevertheless, it was not until the seventeenth century that the
first reference to “Port wine” appears in the history of the Douro.
The Douro Demarcated Region is located in the northeast corner of the Portugal and extends throu-
gh the Douro River valley. The region is bordered by mountain systems to the north, west and south
and the Spanish border to the east. It extends over 250,000 hectares, of which only about 18.3% are
occupied by vineyards, which occupy an area of approximately 48,000 hectares, shared between
around 40,000 wine growers. Smallholdings are predominant and this region is largely dependent
on viticulture, with a tradition of olive oil and almond production. In areas bordering the west, cherry
cultivation is relatively widespread, and to the south, the highest areas are often intensively cultiva-
ted with apples.
In climatic terms, the mountain ranges to the west and the strong influence of the river system me-
ans that micro-climates exist where the influence of the Atlantic is an important factor. Generally, the
winters have below average rainfall and the summers are hot and dry. The region is characterised
by dryness and seasonal distribution of rainfall is concentrated in the late autumn and early winter,
with a second peak in March or April.
The Douro Demarcated Region is divided into three sub-regions dictated by the climatic variations:
Baixo Corgo (western sub-region); Cima Corgo (central sub-region) and Douro Superior (eastern
sub-region, which to the east borders Spain).
The dominant grape varieties in the region are mainly red with a higher incidence of Touriga Nacio-
nal, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cão and Tinta Amarela. But the great diversity
of existing varieties in the Douro confirms the strength of the region and indicates its suitability for
the cultivation of grapes vines.
8
VINEYARDS
The story of Quinta da Leda (set to become the brightest jewel in the Casa Ferreirinha portfolio)
began by accident, in 1979, when its landowner came to Vila Nova Gaia with a sales proposal.
Knowing that there were wine companies interested in Douro Superior properties, he went to
Ferreira thinking that he was contacting another producer which had now closed business in the
subregion, thus leaving the coast clear. After surveying the property, Ferreira decided to go ahead
with the purchase and planted vines on land that was initially intended for the production of rye. In
the beginning, there were only 20 hectares of vines and all of its production went into Port, Barca
Velha and Vinha Grande.
The oldest vineyards are around 30 years old, but today there are almost 160 hectares available to
Casa Ferreirinha which are dedicated to Douro DOC wines of great complexity and structure, with
good ageing potential but also full of freshness and vigour. It is here, that the excellence of Douro
DOC wines is confirmed and here that reputations are made.
The Quinta da Leda sets the benchmark for oenology in the region and possesses the most modern
systems for viticulture and vinification in the Douro. In its vineyards, where the Guyot training system
is favoured because it suits this very hot region and its scarce water resources, you will find mainly
Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca and Tinto Cão.
At a time when the grape variety Touriga Nacional was at risk due to low productivity in 1987/8, 197
clones were planted in the Quinta da Leda, using root 1103-P to study its genetic variability. The
work developed here, in a south facing vineyard, 181 metres above sea level, was crucial in disco-
vering the clones with the best yields, thus helping to relaunch what is now the most popular grape
variety in Portugal.
In the Quinta do Grilo, which occupies an area of 1.12 hectares, all clones were weighed, for over
10 years, in order to assess production in terms of volume and, at the same time, micro-vinifications
were made in the wineries in order to analyse the quality of the resulting wines.
“Here, the grapes can have all the time in the world.” Luís Sottomayor
Driven by premium wine production and facilitated by a 2 tonne mash-vat that had occupied a corner of
the winery in 2007, the oenology team created a special conveyor belt that incorporated a grain tank to
give them direct access. “It’s the dream of every oenologist,” says Luís Sottomayor of the six five-tonne
conical tanks with temperature control. “The advantage”, says António Braga, “is that its small size allows
for a careful separation, true precision work, and maximizes the work that goes into bringing the grapes
to the cellar.” Concludes Sottomayor: “It’s an experimental zone in which we can move, see and even
feel the wine”. With a robotic treader adapted to the vats, manual pumping or delestage, here technology
leaves no opportunity to produce anything but great wines.
10
THE OENOLOGIST
Luís Sottomayor is the oenologist who, today, is acknowledged as a true guardian of the rich his-
torical legacy of Ferreira and Casa Ferreirinha. In his role he bears enormous responsibility for
continuing the great work that has made this house one of the benchmarks for Port wine and for the
Douro Vinhateiro, as well as the innovation that produces Douro DOC wines that have become true
icons of both the region and country.
11
Creator of the latest releases from Casa Ferreirinha, Luís Sottomayor takes enormous pride in ha-
ving the opportunity to continue this unique history in the wine world. He is keen to recognize and
praise the boldness and creativity of those who, without the help of modern technology, aimed at
producing excellent wines to defy time.
Born in Moreira da Maia, a married father of three children, Luís Sottomayor has an extensive
academic record which includes courses in oenology from the University of Dijon in Burgundy, and
Charles Sturt University in Australia, in addition to a postgraduate oenology course at the School of
Biotechnology of the Catholic University of Oporto.
Arguing that the secret of great wines is a consequence of the passion of those who write its history
in the vineyards and cellars, Luís likes to emphasise the effort that is made by Sogrape to preserve
and enhance the heritage that comes with large and prestigious brands. The company always stri-
ves to respect the value of tradition and combine it with innovation and future consumer trends yet
to emerge.
12
BARCA VELHA
RESERVA ESPECIAL
CALLABRIGA
PLANALTO
ESTEVA
15
The answer to the first question is simple: the best way to drink wine is always, always, with modera-
tion and responsibility. Therefore, Casa Ferreirinha is proud to be part of Sogrape Vinhos, a member
of the European project called “Wine in Moderation”, and is a founder member of the National Forum
of Alcohol and Health, an organisation that aims to strengthen, at a national level, the policies to
minimise the damage caused by the harmful consumption of alcohol.
In addition to the inclusion of the clear message “Be responsible. Drink with moderation” and the
“Wine in Moderation” logo on all communications with the consumers of Ferreira, Sogrape Vinhos
publishes and distributes a small brochure entitled, “For a Healthy Consumption of Wine” in which
it explains the main objectives of the project “Wine in Moderation by Sogrape Vinhos” and offers
advice and guidance for responsible drinking.
Bearing in mind that the consumption of wine should be done sparingly and responsibly, it is also
important to demystify some of the wine secrets that will allow us to derive maximum pleasure when
we drink wine, like which is the best choice of food to accompany the wine, mastering the art of
serving wine, which glass and at the what temperature, and explain the best conditions for cellaring
wines.
To derive maximum pleasure from the consumption of wine, one should begin by understanding
it. And to understand the wines of Casa Ferreirinha, one must sample the enticing ranges of their
existing brands, starting with the legendary Barca Velha.
16
Serving a wine properly requires knowledge and respect for the somewhat complex rules. These
rules are complex given the diversity of wines available and when serve them, which is further com-
plicated by the myriad of options with regard to the choice of glasses, temperature and the ideal
accompaniments for each wine. The same applies, incidentally, to the options for cellaring, totally
dependent on the specific characteristics of each wine and the ability to age in the bottle.
For all these reasons, it is important to seek advice to ensure maximum enjoyment. For the wines
of Casa Ferreirinha, with all their complexity and history, careful reading of the wine fact sheet is
essential.
In the case of Casa Ferreirinha, you can find these fact sheets by consulting the brand portfolio at
www.sogrape.pt and access advice on how to serve or save these treasures.
www.sograpevinhos.eu
17