old vineyards
There are about 10 ha, the oldest of which planted in 1929.
Grape varieties - Field blend
As was customary practice, a large number of different varieties were planted in the same plot. This method produces what is now called a field blend.
In order to know which individual varieties exist in each plot, and to be able to preserve this heritage, each vine is identified individually.
Yelds
Vines have a tendency to reduce the amount of grapes produced with age.
The average production in the old vineyards of Quinta do Vallado is about 500 grams per plant. In comparison, a plant in a mature vine with about 20 years of age produces about 1.5 kg per plant.
Despite the low production, these vines have a great capacity to resist heat and drought, as their roots reach subsoil areas where some humidity remains.
Plots
Among the old vineyards at Quinta do Vallado, the following plots stand out:
Area: 2.35ha
Planted: 1958
Solar exposure: North
Number of grape varieties: 20
Plants/ha: 3,370
Destination: Vallado Vinha da Coroa
Area: 1.35ha
Planted: 1929
Solar exposure: South
Number of grape varieties: 33
Plants/ha: 4,510
Destination: Vallado Vinha da Granja
Area: 6.08ha
Planted: 1929
Solar exposure: West
Number of grape varieties: 34
Plants/ha: 4,535
Destination: Vallado Reserva Field Blend
organic farming
In 2014 Quinta do Vallado decided to start the conversion of its old vineyards to a production based on biological principles.
In this sense, seeking to respect the environmental balance, the use of herbicides, pesticides and other pollution agents has been gradually eliminated, looking for the way to a more sustainable agriculture.
So far, 2/3 of the old vineyards at Quinta do Vallado have been converted to organic farming.
Old vines give rise to the best wines produced at Quinta do Vallado.
Due to the large number of different grape varieties in these vineyards, the wine produced from these grapes has great aromatic and flavour complexity.
Additionally, since the production per plant is very low, the few grapes produced have a great intensity of flavors and concentration.
Unfortunately, a vine does not last forever. With some regularity it is necessary to perform a replacement of dead plants. In order to preserve the composition of the vines - and, therefore, the “field blend” that gives character to the wines they produce, each plant that dies is replaced by another of the same variety.
These vines were traditionally planted with a spacing of around 1.1m between plants. Currently the standard is to use a spacing of 3.3m. The reduced space between the bards prevents mechanization in the maintenance of the vineyard, making it necessary to resort to a manual labour and traditional techniques.
Thus, the planting density in old vines is much higher than what is practiced today. In the old vines there are about 7,000 plants / ha while in a recently planted vine it is customary to plant around 3,000 plants / ha.