1868 2024
Located in the Cima Corgo, overlooking the valley of the River Torto, Quinta Vale D. Maria is mentioned for the first time in records in 1868.
The colossal furrows that divide the mountains are the work of the Douro and its tributaries. The roads, paths and terraces where the vineyards grow, rendering a hauntingly beautiful landscape, were built by men over the centuries. The Douro Wine Region is the result of the river both in communion and in conflict with man. It is the fruit that the nature of the elements, the ingenuity of men, and the time of the world have conceived together. Telling the story of Quinta Vale D. Maria, nestled in the Cima Corgo and overlooking the valley of the river Torto, is to understand a part of the precious heritage of the Douro as a whole, and to tell the story of the region.
The first recorded mention of the estate is from 1868 when it was owned by José António Teixeira de Carvalho Vaz e Sousa. Many years later, in 1996, after more than a century of the estate’s history, it became the property of his great-great-granddaughter, Joana Lemos van Zeller, and her husband, Cristiano van Zeller. More recently, in 2017, the estate was transferred from the van Zellers to Aveleda, whose family connections date back to 1898, when Maria Helena van Zeller Guedes and Fernando Guedes Silva da Fonseca married.
For more than a century, the grapes from Quinta Vale D. Maria were supplied to Port wine producers. It was in 1996, after Cristiano van Zeller acquired it, that his own wines started to be produced at the estate. Quinta Vale D. Maria then took on the mission of presenting to the world a “new Douro”, specialising in DOC Douro still wines, one of the pioneers in this field.
Today, Quinta Vale D. Maria remains committed to respecting its sustainable legacy, taking on the role of guardian of the old vineyards, preserving them, and enhancing their quality. With its eyes set on the future and through its capacity for innovation, Quinta Vale D. Maria carries on its vision for expansion.
History
Two families united by their passion for wine
1868
The earliest known records of Quinta Vale D. Maria date back to 1868.
1996
Quinta Vale D. Maria is acquired by Cristiano van Zeller, who takes on the mission of promoting the “new Douro”, consisting of still wines of the highest quality.
1998
Launch of Quinta Vale D. Maria Douro 1996, the estate’s first still wine.
2000
The winery was completely rebuilt to modernize the facilities, respecting traditional techniques such as the granite presses.
2002
The LBV 1997 arrives, marking the first Porto Wine under the Quinta Vale D. Maria name.
2004
The Vinha da Francisca is established, featuring the grape varieties Tinta Francisca, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Rufete, and Sousão.
2011
The Quinta Vale D. Maria Douro 2009 was awarded 96 points by Robert Parker in The Wine Advocate, the highest score ever given to a Portuguese red wine at the time.
2011
Since the 2009 harvest, the grapes from Vinha do Rio, a unique and special vineyard, have been vinified separately. The result of that vintage was released in 2011, and since then, we have been producing the Quinta Vale D. Maria Vinha do Rio.
2016
Quinta Vale D. Maria Douro 2013 was included in the Top 100 of the prestigious American magazine Wine Spectator.
2017
Aveleda, a historic and prominent producer from the Vinhos Verdes region, acquires Quinta Vale D. Maria.
2019
The Vale D. Maria Very Old Tawny Porto Colheita 1969 is released, the first Porto wine of the Very Old collection.
2019
Quinta Vale D. Maria Vinha da Francisca 2016 earned a double distinction at the Wines of Portugal competition, being named both Best Red Wine and Best Wine of 2019.
2021
Quinta Vale D. Maria Vinha da Francisca 2018 repeated the honor at the Wines of Portugal competition, being awarded Best Red Wine and Wine of the Year 2021, a consolidation of these prestigious accolades across two consecutive editions.
2021
From the most precious gems of Quinta Vale D. Maria, we proudly present the Quinta Vale D. Maria Vinha do Moinho 2012, a field blend of traditional Douro grape varieties sourced from a truly exceptional old vineyard.
2023
The Vale D. Maria Very Old White Porto Colheita 1940 is released, the second Porto wine of the Very Old collection.
2024
In 2024, Quinta Vale D. Maria celebrated 20 years of the Francisca Vineyard, honoring its rich past and ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation in producing exceptional wines.
2024
The Quinta Vale D. Maria – Maria Helena van Zeller Guedes 2014, a field blend of old vineyards, was released as a tribute to the union of two families and a celebration of the tradition and innovation that define the essence of Quinta Vale D. Maria and Aveleda.
To share Quinta Vale D. Maria wines is to experience the Douro in its many forms of expression.
“We try to share our story, the story of the Quinta, the magic of the Douro. In this way, we hope that more people can experience the Douro as we do.”
Co-CEO Aveleda S.A.
Philosophy based on passion
Philosophy based on passion
“It is in the dynamic respect for the terroir of Quinta Vale D. Maria that we guarantee the continued excellence of our wines. We ensure that our passion for wine is poured into every glass.”
CO-CEO da Aveleda
At Quinta Vale D. Maria, in the heart of the Cima Corgo sub-region, the balance between the soil, the vineyard and the surrounding area is, while respecting its tradition and history, the result of rigorous curatorial and sustainability work.
Environment & Sustainability
Part of Quinta Vale D. Maria's brand identity is a policy of sustainability, based on the conservation of old vineyards.
The development of life in the soil, which allows the roots of the vines to develop optimally, is the result of the dedicated work of the viticulture team.
Sustainability practices extend to Quinta Vale do Sabor in the Upper Douro, now part of the Quinta Vale D. Maria estate under the technical coordination of Aveleda’s winemaking and viticulture departments. This work includes tilling and cover cropping. The surroundings of the vineyards also play a crucial role. To create biodiversity refuges, it is essential to establish vineyard discontinuities. It is in these intervals that olive, orange, and medronho trees are planted, areas vital to supporting auxiliary fauna. The hand-harvested grapes, trodden in traditional granite lagares, are the foundation of wines that reflect the identity of each vineyard, some of which are over 80 years old.
At Quinta Vale do Sabor, grass and leguminous species are planted, depending on the vigor of the plot, promoting erosion protection and, at the same time, increasing soil fertility and life. Shrub and tree species are planted along the borders to ensure the vineyard’s discontinuity, creating ecological corridors between the vines.
As a result of these and other measures aimed at environmental balance and sustainable production, Aveleda recently obtained B Corp Certification, a global recognition granted to companies that adhere to high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. To achieve this certification, Aveleda underwent a rigorous year-long evaluation process, based on five categories –governance, employees, community, environment, and customers.
Over the years, Aveleda has implemented several sustainability initiatives based on two main pillars: biodiversity and people. Examples of actions taken include increasing its own energy production, acquiring electric vehicles, planting hundreds of trees annually, and using lighter bottles, all of which contribute to reducing its carbon footprint and increasing carbon sequestration.
Terroir
