Carlos Lucas Ribeiro Santo, Dão 2021

Established in 2012 by a team of three experienced winemakers (Carlos Lucas, Lúcia Freitas and Carlos Rodrigues), Magnum Vinhos has its roots in the Dão region but also produces wines from Alentejo and Douro. All three had previously worked together at Dão Sul, where Carlos Lucas was one of the co-founders back in 1990. They each brought experience and expertise from previous lives in the wine industry and chose to focus on authentic wines made from indigenous Portuguese grapes.

The Quinta do Ribeiro Santo ('Holy River') estate in Carregal do Sal is a small Dão property restored by Carlos Lucas. It was named after the stream which surrounds the property once owned by the local priest. Set among the pine forests typical of the region on the slopes of the Serra da Estrela and Serra do Caramulo mountains, the vineyards are farmed sustainably and certified under the Integrated Production system. There are six hectares of vineyards here, planted to local grape varieties touriga nacional, alfrocheiro, tinto cão and encruzado, amongst others, in poor granitic soils; an impressive new modern winemaking facility was ready for the 2014 vintage.