White grape
The Dão's Burgundian white.
Aromas
Citrus, pear, hazelnut, smoky mineral
Structure
Full texture, firm acidity
Ageing
8–15 years
Almost exclusive to the Dão, Encruzado takes beautifully to barrel fermentation and lees ageing, giving structured, complex whites often compared to great white Burgundy.
Barrel-fermented whites and blends.
Roast fowl, lobster, cream-based dishes.
Dão
Abrunhosa do Mato, Mangualde · Est. 1978
Family estate crafting textbook Dão — finely-grained Touriga Nacional and savoury, ageworthy Encruzado.
Dão
Pinhanços, Seia · Est. Family since 1980s
Álvaro Castro's high-altitude granite estate under the Serra da Estrela — revered by sommeliers worldwide.
Dão
Penalva do Castelo · Est. 18th century
A baroque manor house hotel with formal gardens, its own Serra da Estrela cheese dairy and estate Dão wines.
Dão
Lagarinhos, Gouveia · Est. 1892
A historic Serra da Estrela foothill estate reviving century-old field blends, with a quiet guest house among the granite.
Bairrada
Luso, Mata do Buçaco · Est. 1888 (palace)
A neo-Manueline royal hunting palace in an ancient monastic forest, whose private cellar holds Buçaco wines back to the 1940s.