The February 2026 edition of the prestigious magazine Grandes Escolhas takes a deep look at the high-altitude wines of Beira Interior. Under the title “Everything that altitude provides”, the article explores the unique character of wines born on granitic soils above 700 meters. We are pleased to see two of our family projects, Souvall Villamayor and Vale dos Ladroens, recognized by the tasting panel with a score of 17 points and the “Boa Escolha” (Good Choice) seal.
Tasting Notes:
Souvall Villamayor Grande Reserva White 2023 (17 pts): Classified as a “winter white”, the magazine highlights this family project and its origin in very old vineyards. It is described as a “full-bodied, yet well-proportioned” wine, where the barrel ageing wraps the fruit elegantly.
Vale dos Ladroens Garrafeira Red 2022 (17 pts): Originating from old vines of Rufete, Marufo, and Baga, this red was praised for its “well-composed” aroma, balancing ripe fruit with a dry vegetal side. On the palate, it reveals itself as “polished and easy”, with present but balanced tannins.
What does a 17-point score mean? In the professional wine criticism scale, a score of 17 points places the wine at the Excellence level. It is the recognition of a high-quality wine with a strong regional character and superior technical balance. This recognition reinforces our mission in Beira Interior: to produce wines that respect time, altitude, and the tradition of our land.
