Douro project from two oenologists, with Upper Douro slopes, indigenous grapes, table wine and Port.
The producer
Duorum is a Douro project from two oenologists, named for its fruit from two Douro areas and two altitudes. Its Upper Douro vineyards lie on slopes between 150 and 500 metres and include selected indigenous grape varieties. The project makes mostly table wine alongside some Port. Robotic lagares handle the initial maceration of all wines, while table wines move to vats after three days.
Known for
Two area Douro table wines and Port
Notable facts
The Duorum project began in January 2007.
Its Upper Douro vineyards lie between 150 and 500 metres.
In 2012, Duorum became the first company from the Douro to join the European Initiative on Business & Biodiversity.
Robotic lagares are used for initial maceration, with table wines transferred to vats after three days.
The story
Douro Biodiversity Membership
In 2012, Duorum became the first company from the Douro to join the European Initiative on Business & Biodiversity. The membership was supervised and approved by Portugal's nature conservation authority, the Portuguese Institute of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity. Duorum had already stated commitments to biodiversity, sustainability and rural development when the project began. The initiative placed those commitments within a formal programme, alongside vineyards located in two Natura 2000 areas that include bird protection zones in the International Douro and Vale do Águeda.
From the atlas
Duorum Vinhos
Douro project from two oenologists, with Upper Douro slopes, indigenous grapes, table wine and Port.
At A Glance
Region
Douro, Portugal
Project
Two oenologists, fruit from two Douro areas and two altitudes
Vineyards
Upper Douro slopes between 150 and 500 metres
Wines
Table wine and Port
Defining feature
Biodiversity, sustainability and rural development commitments
The Producer
Two oenologists give Duorum its name, the Latin word for “from two”. The project brings together fruit from two Douro areas and grapes from two altitudes. It began in January 2007 with commitments to biodiversity, sustainability and rural development.
Duorum operates from Quinta de Castelo Melhor on Estrada Nacional 222 in Vila Nova de Foz Côa. José Maria Soares Franco led production at Sogrape from 1978 to 2006, with responsibilities that included Barca Velha.
Place
Duorum's vineyards sit on Upper Douro slopes between 150 and 500 metres, with carefully selected indigenous grape varieties. They occupy two Natura 2000 locations, including bird protection areas in the International Douro and Vale do Águeda.
Douro Superior sourcing and earlier harvesting form part of the approach to keeping alcohol down. José Maria Soares Franco says that more than 13.5% kills aromas and quality, placing alcohol management alongside aromatic preservation in the project's stated style.
Wines
Duorum produces mostly table wine alongside some Port. The table wine range includes Altitude by Duorum 2024, Duorum Colheita Douro 2024 and Duorum Reserva Old Vines 2022, all red wines. Duorum Late Bottled Vintage Port 2019 and Duorum Single harvest 2007 are fortified wines from Porto.
The higher level wines use estate grapes, while entry level wines include purchased grapes. The range therefore moves from red Douro table wines to fortified Port, with both estate fruit and purchased grapes represented across its levels.
Final Word
In 2012, Duorum became the first company from the Douro to join the European Initiative on Business & Biodiversity, through a membership supervised and approved by Portugal's nature conservation authority.