The perfect symbiosis with nature is based on sustainability. We believe that consistency in quality involves a sustainable viticulture. This is one of our priorities, made possible through the dedication and savoir-faire of a team.
Reflection of a sustainable viticulture, which respects the environment and the terroir, through practices such as grass with grasses and leguminous species, promoting protection against erosion and, at the same time, an increase in soil fertility and life; the planting of shrub and arboreal species on the borders of trees, promoting the discontinuity of the vine and thus interspersing ecological corridors; the recovery of rainwater, of utmost importance if we take into account climate change and the fact that the Douro is a region where water is scarce.
“The respect for the terroir and sustainability tell us a lot. All the projects we have been developing are designed with a long-term perspective”
António Azevedo Guedes, CEO and descendant of the 5th generation of the founding family of Aveleda
We believe that consistency in quality involves sustainable viticulture.
Thus, mechanization continues to be an exception at Quinta Vale D. Maria during the harvest. The grapes are hand-picked and foot trodden, for about three days, in the property’s traditional granite lagares. Sustainability is measured by the balance we manage to achieve in our wine-growing ecosystems. A balance between the soil, the vine and the surrounding space. To this end, we promote the development of life in the soil through crops, lawns, among others, so that the roots of the vines can develop in the best possible way.
At the same time, we worked on the surroundings of the vineyards, with other species of trees – olive, orange, strawberry trees, among others – creating zones of discontinuity in the vineyard, which are fundamental for the development of auxiliary fauna – biodiversity refuges. When everything works in harmony, we reach the balance that allows us to intervene less and less in the vineyards, without ever losing its economic viability component.
We regularly carry out analyzes of the vineyards using drones in order to have indicators of vigor, water stress and to be able to understand the areas where we need to intervene.
At Quinta Vale do Sabor, we recover all the rainwater for puddles that will then be used to irrigate the vineyard.
