Casa de Vila Nova is owned by the Lencastre family, of aristocratic Portuguese lineage (one of their ancestors became the first Baron of Varzea do Douro in the 1800s). This land has been in their family since the 12th century - the ivy clad tower that still remains from that time is now surrounded by Vila Nova (new house) that was built in the 1700s, and the property was gradually extended over the centuries. The estate is near the town of Penafiel, close to the eastern border of Portugal's vinho verde wine region, around a 30 minute drive east from Oporto. In the late 1970s the family planted vines over 12 hectares - mainly local Portuguese varieties. In 2008 Bernardo Lencastre and his brothers took over the running of the property, revitalised the vineyards and began making vinho verde and bottling their own wines - the first generation to do so. They now have around 42 hectares of vineyard. Here, in the Entre-Douro-e-Minho sub-region of Sousa, their vineyards are influenced by winds from the Atlantic Ocean - creating the perfect climate to ripen varieties such as Fernao Pires, Avesso and Trajadura.

The local grapes - Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa and Tinta Roriz - grow in fine soils with some schist in vineyards near Cambres, in the western part of the Douro valley and south of the river. The
climate here is warm and dry, and some of the vines are over 50 years old.

After harvesting fermentation takes place in stainless steel, with a small portion (around 10%) ageing for 4 months in 2nd year French oak barrels, before the final blending and bottling.

Perfect with hearty bean and lentil casseroles, with or without sausages.