From our importer:

Sometimes a little provocation can create an entirely new reality, as in the case of Quinta do Santiago. A short while before Grand Cru was combing northern Portugal, the wildly energetic Joana Santiago took up the challenge from her Grandmother: to take their humble farm, which was only selling grapes to the local co-op, and present it’s unique soul to a wider world by bottling wines embossed the family name. Her area was already known for quality grapes, specifically within Menção e Melgaço, so she knew the quality was in her vines to express excellence. That assured, without a specific identity so to speak, to allow for something new would take certain self-reflection, dedication and a generous sense of humility. Most in the region crank out casually-consumed sprtizy Vinho-Verde. She made one too, but used it as a first way to raise the bar. Her main focus however, has been Alvarinho, which excels as a singular grape here (see Rias Baixas within view acrosss the border). Through this lens she could express her terroir, her farm, her family ideals and a way to attract attention to the region at large. Happily Joana is nothing if not tenacious and driven. Given a few years of trial and error, guided by instinct (as there are still few local references) she believes now that she has made Mariazinha (at age 86!) a very proud grandma indeed.

We were introduced to Joana only recently, at the doorstep of her old family home, surrounded by a complete saturation of verdant life. She kicked things off in 2009 (3 generations working together) and has since partnered with the remarkable Nuno Mira do Ó (vigneron and ridiculous vine-hunter!). Combined, they have brought the Santiago wines to the front, as well as introduced the SOU wines, meant to set the benchmark for the region. There is an evident understanding of the place now, and of the separate plots, enough to bottle under the vineyard names themselves. The Santiago farm is a estate as we would know one in other greta wine regions, with a long-view to realize its full potential and sustainability. This means of course a limited amount of wine to offer to the thissty world. Grand Cru Selections is remarkably thankful she is willing to share with us... just as Grandma’s dream is in full swing!

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