• Ramos started as a pioneering wine consultant in 1980. Called “Portugal’s Emile Peynaud” (NYT)

• In 1990, he planted the first vineyard of his Vila Santa winery and began producing wine

• Today, he owns projects in Vinho Verde, Alentejo, Douro, and Beiras and oversees all winemaking

• Ramos was nominated for “European Winery of the Year” in Enthusiast’s 2013 Wine Star Awards

• Sustainable farming following The Natural Step framework

About Portugal Ramos Family EstatesJoão Portugal Ramos

Vinho Verde

• The largest DOC in Portugal• In the northwestern province of Minho, with Spain’s

Rias Baixas to the north and the Atlantic to the west• Celtic influence• Historically, farming was so dense that vines were

trained high off the ground in a system called enforcado, with crops planted beneath

• Today, vines are trellised just off the ground to avoid rot and shade and maximize sun exposure

• Climate: Atlantic; cool and rainy with a lush landscape• Geography: Elevated granite plateau traversed by rivers• Key wine: A light-bodied white made from a blend

of Loureiro, Alvarinho, Arinto, Azal, and Trajadura, often with a light CO2 spritz

• Cuisine: Seafood such as octopus, cod (bacalhau), and sardines

Vinha de Enforcado

Ponte de Lima

Lima Vinho Verde

• DOC Vinho Verde

• 100% Loureiro: No filler grapes and can stand up to cool weather. Aromatic – compared to Grüner Veltliner

• No CO2 injection so as to highlight Loureiro varietal character and to last when poured BTG

• 2012: 86 “Best Buy” WE

About the Loureiro Grape• Pronounce “loo-AIR-oo” (tap the tongue on the “AIR”)

• Considered the most aromatic of the Vinho Verde blend

• Notes of citrus, white flowers, and minerality with a signature savory, bay leaf finish

• Performs best in cooler climates and makes wines of good acidity that are attractively low in alcohol

• Compare to Grüner Veltliner

Alentejo

• Pronounce “al-en-TAY-zhoo”• The southern DOC of Alentejo is surrounded

by VR Alentejano, which covers 30% of Portugal

• “Alentejo” means “beyond the Tejo,” indicating its position south of the Tejo River

• Produces majority of Portuguese wine and olive oil for domestic consumption and most of the world’s cork. Livestock, horses & agriculture widespread.

• Important Roman center; ruins dot the landscape

Ancient Alentejo city of Marvão

• Climate: Growing season is hot and dry, though cooler in the northeast. Irrigation necessary• Geography: Plains and hills, with the São Mamede Mountains in the northeast along the

border of Spain. Soils vary and include schist, pink marble, granite, and limestone with clay.• Key wine: Reds from Aragonês, Trincadeira, Castelão, etc.; often rich and fruity due to hot

climate• Cuisine: Wild game, pork, and mutton with garlic and herbs

Terroir of the Alentejo

Schist minerality

Clay structure & softness

Limestone freshness & complexity

Loios White

• Pronounce “LOY-oosh”

• VR Alentajano (NB: when DOC, called Alentejo. When VR, called Alentejano)

• 50% Rabo de Ovelha and 50% Roupeiro from estate vines

• Stainless steel fermented

• Will be organic certified in 2016 by Codimaco

• Loios is the name of the 15th-century order of monks who developed wine-making in the Alentejo

• 2012: Best Buy WE | 2013: Best Buy WE

Rabo de Ovelha (a.k.a. Rabigato) Rousanne: One of the Douro's best white grapes. Full body and high acidity. Aromas of acacia and orange blossom with vegetal notes and minerality.

Roupeiro (a.k.a. Códega do Larinho) Grenache Blanc: Low acidity. Exuberantly aromatic of citrus, stone fruit, melon, and wildflowers.

White Grapes of the Alentejo

Vila Santa Loios Rose

• VR Alentejano

• 50% Touriga Nacional and 50% Syrah from estate vines

• Stainless steel fermented

• Fresh and easy-drinking with bright, red fruit aromas

• Will be organic certified in 2016 by Codimaco

• Vila Santa means Holy Village and refers to the nearby ancient city of Estremoz, where the famed Miracle of the Roses occurred.

Vila Santa Loios Red

• VR Alentejano

• Will be organic certified in 2016 by Codimaco

• 35% Aragonês, 35% Trincadeira, 30% Castelão

• Unoaked

• 2011: 87 “Best Value” WS, 87 “Best Buy” WE

• 2012: 87 “Best Buy” WE

Aragonês [ar-a-go-NESH]: = Tempranillo: Gives aromas of black fruit and is expressive of oak contact.

Trincadeira [trinc-a-DAIR-a] Syrah: Soft tannins and high acidity with peppery, red fruit aromas.

Castelão [cash-teh-LAO] Barbera: Produces medium-bodiedwines with food-friendly acidity and red fruit aromas.

Alicante Bouschet = Garnacha Tintorera Mourvèdre: A rare teinturier (grape with red flesh) with thick skins. Mainly used to add color and tannin to blends. Notes of cassis and sage.

Red Grapes of the Alentejo

Vila Santa Reserva

• VR Alentejano

• 25% Aragonês, 25% Alicante Bouschet, 20% Touriga Nacional, 20% Syrah & 10% Cab Sauv from estate vines

• 9 mos new French oak

• Will be organic certified in 2016 by Codimaco

• Ripe black fruits blend beautifully with the spiciness imparted by the barrels. Elegant and full bodied with soft tannins. A big, powerful, and full wine.

• 2010: 90 WA

Quinta da Viçosa

• [KEEN-tah dah vee-SO-za]

• VR Alentejano, single-estate

• 50% Syrah and 50% Trincadeira from the Quinta da Viçosa estate

• 12 mos new French oak

• Will be organic certified in 2016 by Codimaco

• Ripe red fruit, vanilla & spice. Velvety smooth tannins with a persistent finish. This wine will age for many years, but is ready to drink now.

• 2009: 92 WA, 90 WS