Wines from the Garden of Eden
The roots of the Guedes family at the Quinta da Aveleda in the heart of the Vinho Verde region go back to the early 17th century. This region between Minho and Douro is scored by lush, deep-green fertile valleys. The estate itself is framed by primeval trees, ponds with water lilies and fairytale paths. The densely wooded landscape that is home to the Guedes family’s lush vineyards receives a great deal of rain and has long been an important part of the family’s identity. Crisp, spicy grape varieties such as Alvarinho and Loureiro ripen in this Garden of Eden. Sonorous names and irresistible grapes that can only come from here. These conditions form the basis for the slightly sparkling, refreshing Vinho Verde wines. Aveleda has made these light wines world-renowned under the sonorous name of the fertile vineyard “Casal Garcia”. In 1939 the young French oenologist Eugène Hélisse was on his way home to Porto from the grape harvest in the Douro Valley. When he saw the Quinta da Aveleda vineyards he decided his journey was over. He paid a visit to the then owner, Roberto Guedes, and managed to persuade him to appoint him as winemaker on a trial basis. His baptism of fire came a year later with the tasting – and was a complete success. The brilliant colours and crisp freshness became synonymous for Aveleda wines.
