Pedra Cancela Vineyards

It's in the vineyard that all starts. The ecophysiology of the vineyard is the first factor for achieving the elegance, the balance, and the gastronomic characteristics that wines demonstrate when you open a bottle.

In the Pedra Cancela Vineyards, our teams study the behaviour of the varieties in the Dão. Under the direction of João Paulo Gouveia (agricultural engineer, professor, and University researcher), we investigate how grapes evolve in different contexts of functional biodiversity, the impact of the introduction of new cover crops in the vineyard soil, the effect of different irrigation methods on the grape varietals, ….

The challenge has been in increasing our deeper knowledge of the inner life of the vines, as we seek to achieve complete grape maturation, both phenolic and alcoholic. At Lusovini, we have invested in pioneering viticulture, which favors the introduction of vegetable and animal species that protect the vineyard from harmful agents (this is also known as functional biodiversity) to achieve the best balance between the acids and the sugars in the grapes. This investment has allowed us to create wines of great harmony, complex, and capable of living for centuries without wavering, like the wines of the Dão from the 1950s, which are still exuberant and complex.

The Pedra Cancela Vineyards can be visited upon prior reservation, with departure from the Pedra Cancela – Lusovini Wine Center in Nelas.

Lusovini wine center

In Nelas, our cellars are open every day of the week. Here, we offer several interactive programs: ranging from the tour to the cellar, wine tastings, wine pairing with traditional food, wine dinners, and other initiatives that we at Lusovini provide so you can better know our wines and our different wine projects.

Our wine tastings reveal the tradition and identity of the Dão region: as these wines are genuine wines, with a strong regional identity and an elegance that characterizes them. Our wines are produced out of various native grape varietals, and from vines of different ages. The Dão white wines are delicate and fragrant, some can be dry at times, though they are all balanced by an intense mineral character common to the wines of the Dão. The red wines present a certain aromatic austerity, - less evident in the case of Touriga Nacional (native grape varietal) - and strong tannins, allowing the wines to last for decades.

The wine tastings are available every day for anyone visiting the Pedra Cancela – Lusovini Wine Center. Those who wish a unique and personalized experience should schedule their visit by phone or email, available on this website.