Several historical researchers consider the Queen of the Portuguese grape varietals, Touriga Nacional, to be from the Dão region, supporting these assertions in historical records. In 1900, Cincinnato da Costa wrote in his book "O Portugal Vinícola" that in the 19th century 90% of Dão's vineyards were of this grape, then called Tourigo or Mortágua, Preto Mortágua.

Located in the center of Portugal, over the protection of Serra da Estrela (the highest mountain range in mainland Portugal), the Dão Region was demarcated in 1908. Dão was the first demarcated region of non-fortified wines in Portugal.

The north and center of the region are dominated by granite soils, one of the main contributors to the minerality of Dão wines. In addition to the Serra da Estrela, the climate is largely conditioned by the mountain ranges of Caramulo, Lousã, Buçaco, Nave, and Açor, which protect the vineyards from the Atlantic and Continental winds, creating daily thermal amplitudes, sometimes higher than 30ºC during the harvest season. These are excellent conditions for the phenolic maturation of the grapes, which is the basis of their authenticity, in its robustness and complexity, as well as sophistication privileged in its elegance, balance, and gastronomic qualities.