Quinta das Maias Tinto

In the foothills of the Serra de Estrela (Star Mountain), Quinta das Maias was first established in 1893. It is now a registered organic estate, capturing the freshness and focus that this vineyard offers. A haven for the Jaen variety, known in Spain as Tinta Mencia in Bierzo, Maias is a unique terroir for this fascinating cepage. The name of the estate derives from the Portuguese word for the month of May, which is when the Weaver's Broom (known as Giesta, but here as Maias) flowers here.

Red wines from the Dao should always demonstrate a certain succulence from a combination of altitude and granitic soils, but Maias Tinto goes the extra mile. At these even higher vineyards (around 650m), Jaen (Tinta Mencia) captures in the glass delicious crunchy fruit in this medium bodied wine.

Maias is the local name for the Weaver's Broom plant which surrounds the estate here (its yellow flowers blossom in May in this part of Dao, hence its nickname - Maio is the word for May).