Odete Machado

Quinta da Pacheca

Among the valleys of the Douro River, near the left bank, in the village of Cambres, Lamego, is Quinta da Pacheca, one of the most prestigious and recognized properties in the Douro Demarcated Region. The history of the vineyard in this property dates back to the XVI century as referred to in a document dating 1551. The estate is mentioned for the first time in a document dated from April 1738 where it is referred to as "Pacheca. In 1903 D. José Freire de Serpa Pimentel bought the property and began to work on the modernization of the vineyard and structures among which are eight granite stone tanks where red wines from Pacheca are still vinified, resulting in limited annual productions of special categories Douro DOC wines and Port wines. With around 75 hectares of own vineyards planted, Quinta da Pacheca has always been focused in the production of quality Douro DOC and Port wines and was one of the first in the region to bottle DOC wines under its own brand. It was in 1977 that the commercialization of DOC wines with the brands of Quinta da Pacheca and Quinta de Vale Abraão started, which vineyards still belongs to Quinta da Pacheca today. In 1995 Quinta da Pacheca officially began its project in wine tourism that resulted with the opening of The Wine House Hotel**** in 2009, contributing to broaden the tourism offer in an increasingly sought region and recognized as a destination of excellence. Nowadays, Serpa Pimentel family continues involved in the project with the fourth generation of the family, but a new cycle began in 2012 when the dynamic families of Paulo Pereira and Maria do Céu Gonçalves took the ownership of the project. The focus was clear, enhancing the quality of wines and invigorate the wine tourism. Quinta da Pacheca has become one of the most visited estates in the Douro Region and has been consecutively awarded in wine tourism, and in its famous wines which have been receiving the most distinct awards.