Douro Superior producer in Cedovim, with Teja Valley vineyards at high elevation and red, white and Port wines.
The producer
Conceito Vinhos Lda is based in Cedovim in the Douro Superior, with family vineyards in the Teja Valley south of the Douro River. The producer is certified organic and makes red, white and Port wines. Legítimo is a red from Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional. Manual harvesting, selection in the vineyard and cellar, and a winery combining stainless steel vats with granite lagares define the production approach.
Known for
Teja Valley red, white and Port
Notable facts
The vineyards stand at 450 to 600 metres on granite and schist soils.
Rita Marques Ferreira studied oenology at the University of Bordeaux.
Legítimo uses grapes from 50 year old vines at Quinta Vale de Cavalos.
Legítimo ages for 18 months in stainless steel vats.
The story
Grüner Veltliner at Altitude
In 2007, Conceito planted a parcel of Austria's Grüner Veltliner at 600 metres. Grüner Veltliner is an Austrian white grape variety, and the grapes were later used for sparkling wine. High elevation can slow ripening and help preserve acidity, qualities that support sparkling wine's fresh profile. The planting linked an Austrian grape, a high Douro vineyard and a sparkling bottle in one producer project.
Grüner Veltliner at Altitude
In 2007, Conceito planted a parcel of Austria's Grüner Veltliner at 600 metres. Grüner Veltliner is an Austrian white grape variety, and the grapes were later used for sparkling wine. High elevation can slow ripening and help preserve acidity, qualities that support sparkling wine's fresh profile. The planting linked an Austrian grape, a high Douro vineyard and a sparkling bottle in one producer project.
From the atlas
Conceito Vinhos Lda
Douro Superior producer in Cedovim, with family vineyards in the Teja Valley, certified organic farming, and red, white and Port wines.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
Douro Superior
Village
Cedovim
Main grapes
Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional in Legítimo
Signature wine
Legítimo
Defining feature
High elevation vineyards on granite and schist, with certified organic farming
The Producer
The Ferreira family has grown grapes in the cool Teja Valley, south of the Douro River, for generations. Conceito is based in Cedovim and makes red, white and Port wines from its Douro Superior base.
Historically, Carla Costa Ferreira and her daughter, winemaker Rita Marques Ferreira, were the two women behind Conceito. Rita studied oenology at the University of Bordeaux and worked harvests in the Douro, South Africa and New Zealand. Her training included work with Denis Dubourdieu at the University of Bordeaux, Niepoort in the Douro and Flagstone in Stellenbosch.
The vineyards are harvested by hand, with fruit selected first in the vineyard and again in the cellar before destemming. The work begins with fruit quality before fermentation starts.
Place
Conceito's vineyards lie in the Teja Valley, south of the Douro River, within the cooler microclimate of the Douro Superior. They stand at elevations of 450 to 600 metres and include granite and schist soils.
High elevation can slow ripening and help preserve acidity. Granite and schist provide two distinct ground types across the vineyards, while the cooler microclimate supports a longer ripening season.
Wines
Conceito makes red, white and Port wines. Legítimo is the named red wine, made from Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional.
The Legítimo bottling comes from Quinta Vale de Cavalos and uses fruit from 50 year old vines planted on schist. Indigenous yeasts and minimal intervention are followed by 18 months in stainless steel vats. Historical grape interests also include Rabigato, Síria or Códega, and Bastardo.
Final Word
Conceito's cellar combines temperature controlled stainless steel vats with traditional granite lagares, where grapes are foot trodden.