Margarida Serodio Borges and the Douro, story of a life

Philosophy

“I don't like overripe wine – some other producers have that style but it's not for me.” With Tinta Roriz – its main variety – if you plant too low, the fruit becomes too jammy and overripe , but if you plant too high, the wine loses concentration and balance. "Our 70-year-old vines are located between 250 and 350 meters, which is the optimal height." “All the work is done in the vineyard and not in the cellar; any other intervention such as over-ripening or chemical additions is not for us."

After a 12-year break, Margarida Serôdio Borges of Quinta do Fojo is back, but remains faithful to the winemaking traditions of the estate, without giving in to commercial pressures.

In 2001, she took the time to start her family, later as teenagers, her two children decided for her: "It was time to go out and reconnect with the world."

Quinta do Fojo (Fojo meaning "wolf track") in the Cima Corgo region of the Douro was traditionally a source of port grapes for Taylor's, but also one of the first estates to champion Douro wine in the 1990s, just as Margarida Serôdio Borges took over the helm from her grandfather, Jorge. "I was 19 years old and I continued to produce wine in the only style I knew: watching my grandfather work and it continued like that.

I practice organic viticulture as much as I can; we still crush with our feet in the "lagares" (large natural vats) and I don't believe that producing wine should pursue a 'commercial' goal or that we should follow too much what the critics say." 

Quinta do Fojo is owned and operated by Margarida Serôdio Borges.

Its wines are elaborated in small productions, and, from the vine to the bottling, everything is done on site.

All the bottles have an anti-fraud protection system.

The estate has been passed down from generation to generation and is known for producing very good wines, once sold to the great Port houses. The estate was really developed by the grandfather of Margarida Serôdio Borges, who continued with passion and perseverance, decisive and obvious factors to recognize when we had the opportunity to meet her in person.

The estate is located in the Douro, in the sub-region of Cima Corgo, on the left bank of the Pinhao Valley.

It consists of 7 hectares of old vines planted at the end of the 19th century, where the predominant grape variety is Tinta Roriz, and 4 hectares of vines planted in 1986, with the same characteristics.

The climate is Mediterranean, with schistose soil. The altitude of the vineyards is between 250 and 370 meters.

The property is fantastic, the view breathtaking. The climate, the altitude, the slope of the terraces, and the ideal western exposure (excellent humidity) are the very favorable ingredients that allow Margarida Serôdio Borges to exercise her talent and apply meticulous zeal during all the stages of the winemaking.  Margarida welcomed us warmly, explained her journey, her determination for more than 20 years to produce the best wines, to stay on her land. A passion easy to perceive.

All these details are precious to us. Many stories that we will have to tell you... 

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