Domínio do Açor

It requires a great deal for us to take on new producers, but sometimes the reasons are so compelling that it would be irresponsible not to do so, especially when they seek us out specifically. This is a very recent project (albeit the vines average 60 years) started by a band of Brazilians and Portuguese, all of them with exceptional credentials. Régisseur Guilherme Corrêa is a renowned Brazilian sommelier and importer. Consultant Winemaker Luís Lopes is someone we have known from our earliest days working in Portugal, as he got his start with the famed Alvaro Castro at Quinta de Saes. He also gave in valuable help to our own Antonio Madeira. And Resident Winemaker, João Costa, is a Dão native with impressive international and Portuguese experience. Last but not least is legendary Chilean terroir expert, Pedro Parra, who has mapped every square meter of their 11 hectares to identify the best granitic and limestone soils appropriate to the treasure-store of varietals that they cultivate. Considering that their first vintage was 2021, it has taken no time for Dominio do Açor to soar, like the falcon after which it is named, to the pinnacle of Dão producers. Hailed to the rafters by numerous critics, it has become an instant star. We have been allocated miniscule quantities of some of the wines, and no more than 180 bottles of anything. Much of this initial allocation was soldout on a pre-arrival basis. But the wines listed here havesome availability and are worthy of your attention. You don’t have to take our word for it : Dominio do Açor is a producer of the highest order whose wines are destined to be sought after and collected by all serious devotees of Portugal and the Dão.

1/12

Producer:	Domínio do Açor
Country:	Portugal
Region:	Dão
Date Founded:	2021

Property History:

Dominio do Açor is named for land patrolled by a graceful and powerful breed of falcon, as drawn on the label soaring above the hills. The small vineyard is nestled in the Oliveira do Conde sub-region of Dão, a historic locale with granite soils and a perfect cool continental climate, once cultivated by the Celts and Romans. Friends Guilherme Corrêa, Luís Lopes, and João Costa took over this tiny estate, filled with biodiversity, in 2021. Native plants, berries, ponds, and giant stands of oak and cedar surround the decades-old vines and fruit trees. As soon as they could, the friends began farming biodynamically and making wine.

Owner History:

Wine-maker Luís Lopes, whom we have known since our early days selling the great wines of Quinta da Pellada, and who trained at Comtes Lafon,was an influential consultant to Antonio. The lineage of top quality is clear.