CASA DA PASSARELLA, SERRA DA ESTRELA

When passing through the gates of Casa da Passarella one gets the impression that time stopped here at least a century ago. This historic estate was created in 1892 by the Portuguese entrepreneur, Amand d’Oliveira. He built a colonial style mansion and planted 200 hectares of vines, recognising the potential of the Dão region, long before it was officially demarcated. Unfortunately, in the decades that followed, the cooperative based system imposed by government contributed to the decay of the estate.

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The restoration and rejuvenation project only started here in 2007, when the property was bought by Ricardo Cabral, who invested in returning the house and the winery to its former glory. The vineyards of Casa da Passarella are in Serra da Estrela subregion of Dão and are planted on granitic – sandy soils, between 400-600 metres above sea level. Steady breeze and significant difference between, day and night temperatures, enable much longer “hanging time” for the grapes, which produce fresh and vibrant wine with plenty of natural acidity and supple, yet firm tannins in red wines.