Warre’s Quinta da Cavadinha Single Quinta Vintage Port

Description

Warre’s Quinta da Cavadinha Single Quinta Vintage Port

Warre’s Quinta da Cavadinha Single Quinta Vintage Port is one of the finest vineyards (all ‘A’ graded) in the Pinhao Valley, one of the Upper Douro’s finest Port-growing regions. It is Warre’s flagship single quinta property.

Warre’s Port: Origins in 1670

Warre’s Port, the oldest British Port company established in Portugal, was founded in 1670 when two Englishmen, William Burgoyne and John Jackson, opened offices in northern Portugal to trade in wines and goods. The firm that evolved into Warre’s became a pioneer in the Port trade, with the Warre family joining later (notably William Warre in 1729 as a partner). By the 18th century, it had risen to prominence among leading Port exporters.

Symington Family Owned

In the early 20th century, Scottish-born Andrew James Symington became a partner in 1905 and sole owner by 1908, blending the Warre and Symington legacies. Today, still fully family-owned by the Symington family (now in its fifth generation), Warre’s remains a benchmark for elegant, structured Vintage Ports and innovative styles like Warrior (the world’s oldest continuously shipped Port brand since 1750).

Warre’s Quinta da Cavadinha

Quinta da Cavadinha is located in the heart of the Pinhão Valley and the main vineyard is situated in a gentle ‘bowl’ (180 metres above sea level) formed by a sharp bend in the Pinhão River. It rises very steeply with terraced vineyards to an altitude of 440 metres and the vineyard aspect is south-east and east. The 30 hectare estate is known for producing elegant, well-structured wines which form the backbone of Warre’s Vintage Port and influence the house style.

Quinta da Cavadinha Vintage Port

In declared vintage years, the best wines from Cavadinha are used as the principal component of Warre’s Vintages. In other good years, a limited quantity of the Quinta’s wines is set aside for bottling after two years in cask. These are then known as Single Quinta Vintage Ports. These wines share the same characteristic Warre’s style, with fine elegance and lifted floral aromas, but more closely reflect the unique characteristics of Warre’s Cavadinha vineyard.

Cavadinha Vineyards

• The vines at Cavadinha are planted at altitudes between 100 and 250 metres.
• Approximately one-third of the vines are over 30 years old.
• There is a high proportion of Touriga Nacional, accounting for around 25% of the plantings.
• The blend combines wines from:
  • Lower vineyard areas — producing tannic, concentrated, and floral characteristics.
  • Upper vineyard areas — delivering fresh, elegant, and subtle qualities.
• This combination of lower and upper vineyard styles creates the unique flavour profile characteristic of Warre’s Vintage Ports.
• The vineyards are planted with the traditional Douro Port grape blend, including: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Amarela

Vintage Port Maturation

Warres Quinta da Cavadinha is aged in Warre’s cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia for 10 years or more after harvest before being released to the market when they consider it ready for immediate enjoyment.

In their youth, the wines are tannic, dark purple-red and concentrated but have superb aromas of tea-rose and violets. With careful cellaring, Cavadinha wines develop even more elegance and balance; the nose can give aromas of very fine old Burgundy after some years in the bottle.

Should I Decant This Port?

As with all Vintage Ports, Warres Quinta da Cavadinha is bottled without fining or filtration and will develop a natural sediment, or crust, with age and will require decanting. Read the guide about how to decant Vintage Port.