Recuperating a traditional vineyard in the Douro Valley— part II

View of the North slope in a January 2019 frosty morning. At 09:30 ground temperature was -2 ºC. The local climate in this slope is different from the one of the South slope even though they are less than 100 meters apart. The main reason is the Sun exposure. The other side of the river is sunny while this slope is still shady and frosty.

Part I here

Recovering these vineyards is a long process that takes years.

Several plots in this property have been recovered and replanted in the past 4 years (2016–2019).

In the first part I documented the major works performed on the Southern slope. There are other areas that have been recovered besides that one. Mainly on the Northern slope that faces the Pinhao river. Actually the river bends almost 180º on the East of the property and area that is too rocky and steep to cultivate and sides with the lower part of the South slope.

Overall view of the North slope in March 2019, taken from another point. The new plantations on the plots near the river are identifiable by the green shields that are used to protect the young vines while they grow. The green shields in the foreground show recently planted rootstocks that will be grafted later with canes from the old grapevines.

The new plantations sit side by side with old vineyards. In the latter new rootstocks are being planted in order to be grafted with canes from the surrounding vines to maintain the profile. This will be an important work for the next 3–5 years.

The new plots are identifiable by the green shields that protect the young grapevines.

Before we go back to the Northern slope there is another plot worth mentioning lower down on the South slope, near the river bank to illustrate the transformations made.

The plot on the South slope near the river bank, seen from above on the West hill. In June 2016 earth is being moved by a bulldozer to arrange the terrain in platforms and prepare the soil for plantation.

In June 2016 it was being prepared for plantation. Many works had to be delayed because of rain. Rebuilding the walls is made impossible and even preparing the terrain is not feasible with muddy earth.

Therefore plantation could only take place in July. This proved complicated because of a very hot and dry summer. Despite frequent watering many young rootstocks died burned by the strong Sun. This particular plot had to be mostly replanted the following year. In 2017 we planted much earlier and took special care with some of the most problematic rootstocks. Even though we had a hot Summer the frequent watering made the new plants thrive.

The same plot in July 2016 . The terraces have been formed, the upper ones with walls the lower ones with ramps.

The same plot in June 2018 from a different angle. The vines have been planted and are growing well after a very favourable Spring.

Now let’s see the North slope. Here is another plot that had vines in very bad condition and was included in the recovery plan that was initiated in 2016. This one is in the North facing slope up from the rio Pinhao river bank.

The first phase took place in 2017, the vines were planted in June, a bit late. Then came a very hot Summer that caused some rootstocks to burn. These had to be replanted in 2018, earlier in the season and under better conditions.

Now let’s see the North slope. The plots next to the river were the first to be recovered. They had vines in very bad condition and were included in the recovery plan that was initiated in 2016.

View of the western end of the North slope . The Pinhao river is on the right side bordered by trees. The vineyards were in poor condition especially the lower part in the western end. Some of the plots had been invaded by ferns conspicuous by their reddish colour. This was in part due to the acidity of the soil that had to be corrected with limestone.

This one is in the lower part of the North slope 30–40 meters up from the rio Pinhao river bank.

This plot was in very bad condition. This is how it looked in December 2016 after the old vines were dug out .

These plots were planted mostly with Sousão and Touriga Nacional varieties.

In 2018 a small plot in the Northern slope adjacent to the previous one was planted with Tinto Cao grapes. This plot seats near a fall line and suffered from a wall collapse in March 2018, as it was awaiting plantation. The earth had been moved to prepare for plantation and was very loose. Then a sequence of heavy rains during several days caused a landslide and the subsequent collapse of an old wall.

The wall that was sustaining this terrace collapsed due a landslide after heavy rains. The terrain was very loose as it had been moved to make way to plantation. Leo always attentive to the works is watching as the terrace is being repaired in April 2018.

A closer look. The wall subsided at the point where the stairs were which proved to be the weakest spot.

To prevent a future episode underground pipes were installed to allow better drainage. The wall was re-erected and the vines planted in May.

During reconstruction undergorund pipes were installed to improve drainage.

Here is it looked in June 2018 after the wall was rebuilt and the plot planted. The terrace above the wall was planted with Tinto Cao variety.

A closer look at the wall showing the stairs that were built where the old ones were. The underground drainage pipes evacuate near this point.

In parallel to the new plantations new rootstocks have been planted amidst the old vines in a process called “retancha”. These new rootstocks will require watering to survive the dry summer months while the roots are shalow. It is a labourious work as there is no mechanical access to most of the old terraces.

This vineyard is more than 80 years old. It had many dead vines, and mechanical access was impossible. In February 2019 we used a technique involving digging an explosive where each rootstock is to be planted. This creates a hole and loosens the soil to facilitate planting. It is rather expensive to use in other locales but it paid out in this particular plot.

These rootstocks of american vines (Vitis rupestris, used for its strong roots and resistance to phylloxera) will be grafted with canes from the old vines to maintain the character of the vineyard.

“Retanchas” will be gradually done in the old plots for the next 3–5 years. And will continue occasionally for the future.

In the North slope the main varieties that were planted are Sousão, in the lower plots next to the river bank, Touriga Nacional in the upper plots and Tinto Cão in the middle.

In the South slope described in Part I, different varieties were used — Tinta Roriz (grafted from the original old vines) Touriga Franca, Alicante Buschet, Rufete, Tinta Francisca and a little Sousão. Apart from a small plot where we used Viosinho, the only white grapes in the whole property.

Due to the heavy rainfall in March 2018 another old wall and a newly built one fell in the South slope. The terrain had not compacted yet after the plantation. It had to be rebuilt.

An old wall that survived many decades, fell in March 2018 after heavy rains. The terrain was not yet compact after plantation and this makes them more vulnerable.

A little further down on the same slope a newly built wall fell too, for the same reasons. Probably the landslide started at the junction between the new and the old walls.

We are in April 2019 and this wall is being rebuilt. Parts of the old wall that were still up were taken down and are being replaced to strengthen the whole terrace. Two plantation lines were sacrificed. We will have to decided whether we will plant them again this year or wait for the next.

These vineyards have a long tradition producing grapes for Port Wine, having been used for great Vintages. We started experimenting with DOC Vinhas Velhas (Old Vines) Red Wine, and hopefully will do the same with white wine within a few years.

On 29 August 2017 we harvested the upper plot of the North slope. A small volume of special Douro DOC Vinhas Velhas (old vines) wine was produced from these grapevines — about half are more than 80 years, the other half are 40 years old. This Vinhas Velhas wine will be bottled in the coming weeks, in April 2017. Let’s see what comes out of this experiment. This plot has produced exceptional grapes for great Port Vintages. DOC wines is an experiment here.

Leo keeps a constant watch. This is his terroir.

First harvest of the vines that were planted in 2017 in early September 2019 on the South slope. The vines show strong vigour. and production. The recuperation of this traditional vineyard is showing fruits.

Part I here