Red Wine

Casa Ferreirinha

Barca Velha 2015, 75cl

Douro

Casa Ferreirinha

Barca-Velha is a symbol of the highest quality of Douro wines and its enormous aging potential. Grace, character, and persistence are some of the adjectives that winemaker Luís de Sottomayor uses to describe what has been, since its creation in 1952, the most celebrated Portuguese wine. Declared only in truly exceptional years, Barca-Velha has been made from selected grapes from different altitudes in the Douro Superior. Quinta da Leda, with 170 hectares of vineyards, currently accounts for most of the blend composed of the traditional grape varieties of the region.

2015 was a short and atypical harvest but very prosperous in quality, marked by little rainfall and two heatwaves in June and July, contributing to the production of very complex wines with good structure and prominent fruit.

VINIFICATION: After destemming, the grapes are sent to stainless steel tanks, where alcoholic fermentation takes place. A long and gentle maceration is conducted at controlled temperatures to extract the compounds that contribute to the color, aroma, flavor, and longevity of this wine.

MATURATION: Matured in French oak barrels for about 18 months. The final blend is crafted based on the careful selection of the best wines, resulting from numerous tastings and analyses conducted during this period on the different existing lots and barrels. The “secret” of Barca-Velha lies in this selection. To preserve the highest quality, it is subjected to filtration just before bottling. Bottled on 31-05-2017. Released in June 2024.

SERVING: Decant at least 1-2 hours before serving to aerate and separate sediments (after keeping the bottle upright for 24 hours). Recommended serving temperature: 16ºC to 18ºC. Consume within 24 hours after opening.

ENJOY: Ideal for pairing with cheeses, red meats, and game dishes.

INTEGRATED PRODUCTION METHOD: The grapes used in this wine were produced in accordance with the Integrated Production guidelines for Sustainable Agriculture, as defined by the International Organisation for Biological Control of Pests (OILB/IOBC).

Allergens information

Contains sulphites.

Sogrape Vinhos

Sogrape Vinhos was born of the will and courage of a group of friends. In the difficult economic and political environment of 1942, they decided to stake everything on the visionary talents of one man. This man had the vision to create and develop an innovative wine company with a difference, one which could make and promote Portuguese wines on a global scale.

This vision belonged to Fernando van Zeller Guedes, whose character and forceful personality paved the way for a successful venture that many believed was doomed to fail from the outset. The unparalleled foresight and vision of Sogrape’s founder, resulted in the creation of the first global Portuguese wine brand – Mateus Rosé. Sold in over 120 countries, this proved to be such a resounding commercial success that it provided the decisive momentum for the growth as well as affirming the leadership of which the Company is so proud. The willingness to innovate and the ambition to do things differently – along with respect for tradition and the values of ethics and responsibility – marked the birth of an organization that has proved capable of preserving its founder’s vision and adapting to inevitably changing times. Today, led by the third generation of the founding family, Sogrape Vinhos is ever more closely dedicated to meeting the founding objective: to bring the world quality Portuguese wine brands, with sufficient volume to satisfy the needs of different market segments.

From the pioneering days of buying barrels of wine from small producers in the Douro for processing and bottling in a rented cellar in Vila Real, Sogrape Vinhos has steadily grown. Continuous investment has expanded and developed the company’s assets and workforce to such a degree that Sogrape Vinhos owns over 830 hectares of vineyards in all the key Portuguese wine regions. Nowadays, the full scope of Sogrape Vinhos is clearly demonstrated by the breadth and weight of its portfolio. At first glance, what immediately stands out is the presence of two major global Portuguese wine brands – Mateus Rosé and Sandeman as well as the prestigious wines of Porto Ferreira and Offley. Added to which are the renowned specialist brands that represent the major Portugese wine regions. Beginning with the most famous Portuguese wine of all, Barca Velha, the pride of Casa Ferreirinha (Douro) and continuing with the elegant wines of Quinta dos Carvalhais (Dão), the vibrant Herdade do Peso (Alentejo), the fresh Vinhos Verdes of Quinta de Azevedo and Gazela, and the multi-regional Grão Vasco, to name but a few.

To tell the story of Sogrape Vinhos it is essential to retrace the origins and evolution of the plan conceived by this visionary man. And then to appreciate how his successors have inherited his values and pursued them with dedication, vigour and expertise to grow and develop Portugal’s leading wine company. Above all, the achievements of such a large team are promoted with pride and sustained by the ambition to innovate and enhance all that Sogrape Vinhos has to offer.

Address

Sogrape Vinhos S.A.

Aldeia Nova
4430 – 809 Avintes
Vila Nova de Gaia