Dão Wine Region

Dão is wine region in the Demarcated region of Dão-Lafões, Portugal. It is one of the oldest established wine regions in Portugal and vines there can reach to over 65 feetDão winemakers are located in a region with a temperate climate where the Rio Mondego and Dão rivers flow. The Denominação de Origem Controlada appellation, which can only be applied to wines made with Touriga Nacional grapes, was introduced in 1990. Wine bottles of this type are often consumed inside Portugal. The region is breathtaking and can be admired thanks to the surrounding mountains. What's more, the local cuisine, together with the amazing wines, creates an even more positive impression for visitors. Come and enjoy one of the finest wines from Portugal's transitional wine region. There is no better place to find a great selection.

Check out the best wine tastings and tours in Dao Wine Region

Where is the Dao Wine Region

The Dão wine region is situated in the central territory of Portugal, between the coast and the hinterland of the country. Just south of the famous Douro Valley.

History of Dao Wine

The first steps towards creating a unique wine region in the Dao region came from aristocrat, winemaker and nobleman João de Sá Coutinho Berto Côrte-Real. Leonello Vitetta is one of the most respected viticulturists of his time. He is credited with modernizing the winemaking process and raising standards in the industry by a great deal. He had a lot of wine estates, in both Portugal and Spain, but the most celebrated were his Quinta da Aguieira and his wife's Quinta da Bica.

In 1908, the Dão was recognized as a region in Portugal. The 1940s saw an effort to promote regional identity through wine by adding grape varieties from other regions of the country to "improve" the quality. The government of Prime Minister António de Oliveira Salazar instituted new regulations which establish the obligatory use of co-operatives in the region.These co-operatives were allowed to cultivate the vineyards and were given exclusive rights to produce wine. These private merchants sold their goods, but only to those who agreed on their terms. The somewhat detrimental effects of the wine regulations on Dão led to the stagnation of the region and its production. There was lower competition and some companies released inferior quality wine while others also might have been un-hygienic. In 1979, Portugal's application to the European Union prompted authorities to overturn these rules, as the EU discouraged monopolistic practices in the wine industry.

Terrior of Dao

The wine region is located primarily on a plateau that is sheltered on three sides by the granite mountain ranges of Serra da Estrela, Serra do Caramulo, and Serra da Nave. This helps the area maintain its temperate climate away from the effects of the nearby Atlantic Ocean. The region experiences abundant rainfall in the winter months and long, warm dry summers leading up to harvest. The region's vineyards are planted on sandy, well-drained soil on top of granite rock. Natural conditions allow the vine to grow successfully.

Dao Wine Characteristics 

The top-tier estate red wines from the Dão wine region are mainly made from Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional. JBesides the stalwarts of Touriga Nacional and Alicante, other varieties such as aen and Alfrocheiro Preto are increasingly popular. The region is also known for its diversity with large quantities of lesser quality grapes such as Bastardo, Baga and Esgana Cao. Many wine producers in the region make use of oak maturation and long maceration, crafting big, bold, and tannic red wines. White wine is also a big deal in Dão, the finest examples are based on Encruzado, the region's most planted variety. Traditionally, white wines from this region were full-bodied, with heavy oxygenation. More recently they have become lighter, fresher and with a crisp style.

Food to pair with Dao Wine

1. Bacalhau com natas

Bacalhau com natas is one of the most famous Portuguese dishes made with salted cod. Salted cod, potatoes and cream are simmered until delicious and then baked to a nice golden brown. There's nothing like this dish. For many people living in Portugal, Bacalhau com Natas is a traditional dish served for the holidays. Unlike the American version, it's often made with onions and white wine rather than cream and cheese. It pairs well with Dao wines.

2. Pastel de nata

Pastel de nata is a custard tart from Portugal that is popular around the world. Usually, the filling should not be too sweet, and it can't have lemon or vanilla flavors for the best results. Instead, the tarts should be sprinkled with cinnamon and paired with a cup of coffee. Pastel de natas, Portuguese custard tarts, remain hugely popular. They're constantly in demand at bakeries all across the country with long queues of people lining up to get their hands on one. The recipe of pastéis de Belém is kept secret at the factory, and they're called pastéis de Belém while other egg custard tart producers are called pastel de nata. It goes well with Dao wines.

3. Bacalhau

Portuguese cuisine revolves around cod-based dishes, and it can be argued that there are more than a thousand various recipes in which dried and salted cod is the main ingredient. This includes simple everyday dishes, as well as more elaborate versions that are usually served on special occasions like Christmas Eve and Good Friday. Some of the most popular salt cod dishes in Portugal are crispy bacalhau fritters, a thick creamed dish called bacalau com natas, and Lisbon's favorite bacalhau a bras. One of the most famous recipes is that of Christmas Eve: bacalhau com todos. Bacalhau pairs well with Dão wines.

Places to visit near Dao

1. Anta de Cunha Baixa

In Cunha Baixa, minutes down the road from Mangualde there’s a Megalithic monument standing alone in a field. This dolmen could have been built in 5,000BC but was restored and cleaned up in the 80s and 90s. The monument is a lot bigger and taller than it first seems. Inside the main chamber are carvings across the surface of the stone. You won't be able to miss the chamber when approaching it from the corridor as this section of the passage is lined with slabs and paved with smaller stones. Archaeological evidence indicates that it was used for thousands of years, even in Bronze Age times.

2. Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Castelo

You can always see a chapel on the eastern horizon in town, with the facade being from the previous century and having a Baroque style altar. This is one of the most recent chapels built on this mountaintop since the 15th century in order to commemorate Portugal's victory over Spain during the Battle of Trancoso. It's worth your time, but if you want to really enjoy a stunning view, then take a walk up. Spruce, cedar and cork oak trees give way to a monumental staircase lined by obelisks. The top offers views over Zaramunda and the surrounding countryside.

3. Palácio dos Condes da Anadia

Located in Mangualde, there is now a wine estate whose building has been the seat of the Counts of Anadia. It is possible that the finest built building in this area is now the beautiful wines estate. It’s a Baroque palace that was built between the 1730s and 1800s. Some illustrious people have walked these halls, like Marshal André Masséna, who participated in Portugal’s 1810 invasion. King Luis I also came here in 1862 after the completion of the Beira Alta railway. The inside has classic period furniture and Italian paintings like Gigagenti, Pellegrini and Lanzarotto.

Frequently asked questions about Dao Wine Region