Casa Ferreirinha pioneered the quality revolution of Douro still wines, becoming the region’s first producer dedicated to this style rather than Port. The estate was founded in 1952 by Fernando Nicolau de Almeida, who released the inaugural vintage of Portugal’s most illustrious red wine, ‘Barca-Velha’, that same year. Today, Casa Ferreirinha’s winemaking team is led by Luís Sottomayor, who trained with Nicolau de Almeida and continues his visionary legacy. The house champions quality red, white and rosé wines from across the Douro, with its top references sourced exclusively from the Douro Superior.
The name Casa Ferreirinha is derived from the affectionate nickname of Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira, one of the formidable widows of the world of wine who owned and ran Port House Ferreira in the late 1800s. Purchased by Sogrape in 1987, Casa Ferreirinha currently comprises 520 hectares of vineyards in all three Douro subregions: Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo, and the Douro Superior.
‘Castas Escondidas’ translates as ‘hidden varieties’ and showcases some of the lesser known grape varieties of the Douro Valley: Touriga Fêmea, Tinta Francisca, Marufo and the marvellously named Bastardo – the Portuguese name for the Jura’s Trousseau. Luís sourced the grapes from a range of vineyard sites in the Douro Superior and Cima Corgo from a combination of Casa Ferreirinha-owned vineyards and trusted growers, with whom he has worked for many years. He also included a significant proportion of fruit from old, low-yielding, field-blend plots in the blend.
