The History
“Once upon a time, there was a Estate with vineyards and a superb view from the mountain peaks down to the bed of the Tua River.”
Quinta do Carvalhido
The history of Quinta do Carvalhido begins in the 18th century, although the earliest available documents date back to 1909 and to Great-Great-Grandmother Sancha Augusta Almada Menezes Pimentel, Viscountess of Barcel.
In 1909, a great flood occurred in the Tua River, destroying the old bridge, which at the time was the only way to cross the river. For the next 50 years, the only way to cross the river was by boat. Arriving by train, ascending the historic Tua Line, it was necessary to descend to the river where the crossing was made in a small wooden boat, moved by the boatman using a pole that reached the riverbed.
In 1924, after the death of the Great-Great-Grandmother, inheritances were divided among her grandchildren, and Quinta do Carvalhido was passed down to Maria Olímpia de Mendonça Machado de Araújo.
In 1956, Maria Olímpia’s husband, moved by the impact this project would have on the population, began the construction of the new bridge connecting Abreiro to Vieiro and Vila Flor. (This bridge would serve as the first trial for the construction of another bridge, also of great importance, over the Douro River in Porto, the Arrábida Bridge in 1963).
It was also during this time that the main house of Quinta do Carvalhido was built, on land provided by Aunt Maria Olímpia, so that the engineers involved in the bridge project would have a place to stay. The chosen site offers a magnificent view over the vineyards and olive groves, from which the railway and the Tua River, which encircle the entire western side of the estate, can be seen. Around the same time, the winery was built, featuring 4 wine presses and 10 enormous barrels where Port wine was made and stored.
The years passed, and in 1987, after the death of Aunt Olímpia, her nephew, Álvaro de Mendonça Machado de Araújo Gomes de Moura, father of the current owner, inherited Quinta do Carvalhido. He maintained the vineyards and olive groves, making the most of the investments that had been made.
From that time and for more than 20 years, the estate was regularly visited and cared for to ensure that the vineyards continued to produce, and the economic benefits of selling grapes for Port wine and to local producers were fully realized.
In 2013, Maria de Fátima Costa de Mendonça e Moura Drummond Borges inherited Quinta do Carvalhido and began the adventure of restoring the estate alongside her husband, Pedro Paulo Frazão Drummond Borges. This adventure, which is still in its early stages, is divided between two major projects: the rehabilitation of the houses, allowing the entire family (their 5 children and 10+ grandchildren) and friends to be welcomed; and the rehabilitation of the vineyards with the aim of starting wine production.
The decision to proceed with wine production led to the restoration of the estate’s winery, preparing it for future winemaking. The brand “Quinta do Carvalhido” was then created, and in 2017, the first harvest was bottled. In 2023, three concrete vats were installed in the winery and a new brand was born, CONCRETE.
Today, we present a portfolio with three brands, Quinta do Carvalhido, Concrete and Carvalhido, offering 8 products: 3 Reds, 3 Whites, and 2 Rosé.
