Quinta do Panascal
Four families have shaped the company's destiny since its foundation in 1815. The story begins with the Fonsecas and the Monteiros, the original founders of the business. Then came the Guimarães family, who led the company for over a century and established its reputation as the first house to produce Vintage Port. And finally, the Yeatmans and their descendants who successfully managed the company during the second half of the 20th century and into the new millennium. To the collector or connoisseur, Fonseca may be synonymous with Vintage Port but to many wine lovers around the world Fonseca is best known as the producer of Bin No.27, one of the most popular Ports of all time.
A number of factors make Quinta do Panascal an exceptional vineyard. Its broad, sloping hillside facing west and southwest means that the entire vineyard is well exposed to sunlight. The vineyards on the steep lower slopes, close to the Távora River, are enveloped by the still warm air trapped between the steep banks of the narrow valley. In this area, known as Torrão, the wines are dense, velvety and delicious, with powerful black fruit intertwined with licorice and chocolate flavors. On the upper slopes, which rise to around 400 meters above sea level, the gradient is gentler and the vines are cooled by the wind, producing more elegant, finely perfumed wines with vibrant acidity. These different elevations allow the estate to produce wines that combine rich, powerful fruit with aromatic complexity, this being the cornerstone of the Fonseca house style.
