Bairrada producer making hand harvested Baga reds, white and sparkling wines from vineyards in Cordinhã.
The producer
Kompassus Vinhos works in Bairrada, with vineyards in Cordinhã on predominantly clay limestone soils with strong southern exposure. João Póvoa owns the company, which began under the Quinta de Baixo name before becoming Kompassus. The range includes Baga red wines, white wines and sparkling wines. Native varieties sit at its centre, while Anselmo Mendes guides the oenology. Grapes are harvested entirely by hand, and old vines supply most of the fruit.
Known for
Baga reds and native white varieties
Notable facts
João Póvoa began producing wine in 1991 under the Quinta de Baixo name.
The company has operated under the Kompassus name since 2005.
Anselmo Mendes has guided the oenology since 2012.
Baga grapes come from vines approximately 70 years old.
Annual production is 80,000 bottles, with individual bottlings ranging from 600 to 25,000 bottles.
The story
Póvoa's First Wine Lessons
João Póvoa's enthusiasm for wine began when he was eight years old. His parents were already producing wine in Bairrada, and Póvoa learned the first secrets of the region from them. He is an ophthalmologist by profession and a farmer by passion. He began producing wine under the Quinta de Baixo name. The company later adopted Kompassus, and its vineyards are managed with sustainable viticulture and minimum intervention. The grapes are harvested entirely by hand.
From the atlas
Kompassus Vinhos
Kompassus Vinhos works in Bairrada, with vineyards located in Cordinhã and wines built around native varieties and minimum intervention.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
Bairrada
Vineyard location
Cordinhã
Main grape varieties
Baga, Bical, Arinto, Cercial and Maria Gomes
Wine styles
Red, white and sparkling
Defining approach
Family traditions and minimum intervention
The Producer
João Póvoa owns Kompassus Vinhos. He is an ophthalmologist by profession and a farmer by passion. Póvoa began producing wine under the Quinta de Baixo name, and the company later adopted Kompassus. It became the first individual reference producer in the municipality of Cantanhede.
Family traditions and minimum intervention guide the viticulture and production. The grapes are harvested entirely by hand, with most coming from old vines. Anselmo Mendes guides the oenology, specialising in fresh Atlantic whites and Alvarinho.
Place
Kompassus Vinhos works in Bairrada, with vineyards located in Cordinhã. The soils are predominantly clay limestone, and the vineyards receive strong sun exposure to the south. Clay holds water while limestone allows drainage, giving the soil two distinct physical properties in the same vineyard.
The producer's native varieties include Baga, Bical, Arinto, Cercial and Maria Gomes. Touriga Nacional, Pinot Noir, Verdelho and Alvarinho are also grown. Baga appears in the red wines, while Arinto and Bical are combined in Reserva Branco 2021.
Wines
Kompassus makes Baga red wines alongside white and sparkling wines. The named Reserva bottles have different grape roles. Kompassus Reserva Baga 2020 is made from 100% Baga. Kompassus Reserva Branco 2021 combines 70% Arinto and 30% Bical.
Reserva Branco 2021 fermented and aged in used 400 litre French oak barrels for eight months. Used oak allows slow oxygen contact and can broaden texture without adding the stronger oak flavour associated with new barrels. The wine brings citrus, apricot and lime aromas, followed by a broad oily texture and a persistent finish.
Final Word
Kompassus Vinhos puts native Bairrada varieties into Baga red, white and sparkling wines. Its hand harvested grapes come from vineyards in Cordinhã, where clay limestone soils and strong southern exposure mark the site.