The 11 hectares that make up the old vines, with an average age of 130 years, at Quinta da Costa de Cima, are divided into 134 micro-plots, some of which are less than 0.2 hectares in size. This is the largest contiguous area of old vines in the Douro Demarcated Region, featuring a Field Blend of 54 grape varieties, including approximately 2% white varieties. This area boasts a diverse range of altitudes (80 to 260 meters) and all types of sun exposure, with the majority (approximately 80%) facing east.
In addition to favorable sun exposure for preserving the wine's freshness, the proximity to the boundary of the lower Corgo sub-region (the Ceira River) is an equally favorable factor contributing to the wine's terroir. Within the 134 "micro-plots," selective plots were chosen, mostly those with east-facing sun exposure and exhibiting potential for intensity, structure, and elegance above the average for that vineyard as a whole. Tinta Amarela, Touriga Franca, and Tinta da Barca predominate among the 54 grape varieties.
