Patrão Diogo Garrafeira Tinto

Description

The wine region was demarcated in 1908, making it the second-oldest demarcated region in the country. Located in a dune area on the coast of the municipality of Sintra, between the mountain range and the Atlantic Ocean, from Cabo da Roca to Magoito. The link between Colares and wine has faded over time, but it is known that wine was already being made in this area during the Roman occupation. Later, in 1230, King D. Afonso III granted land to nobles on the condition that they cultivate vineyards. Colares became famous at the end of the 19th century, specifically in 1865, when the greatest threat to world viticulture—phylloxera—arrived. This tiny insect, native to the Americas, began reaching Europe alive when travel times shortened due to the introduction of steam-powered ships. Interestingly, the vineyards of Colares were the only ones that survived phylloxera because of their deep roots, sometimes reaching 8 meters, which prevented the pathogen from spreading as it did in other soil types. Across Europe, except in this region, American rootstocks (resistant to the insect) were grafted onto European grape varieties. (Illustrative image only)