In a world where precision and traceability dominate modern viticulture, there is an ancient concept that continues to surprise wine lovers with its authenticity and complexity: the Field Blend. At Quinta do Convento de São Pedro das Águias, this traditional method comes to life, revealing the richness of the old vines and the pure expression of the Távora Valley terroir.
Field Blend is the term used to describe vineyards where different grape varieties — often dozens of them — have been planted in a mixed manner, without a clear separation between them. Instead of harvesting and vinifying each variety separately, as is more common today, field blends are harvested and fermented together as a single batch.
This practice was common in ancient times, when winegrowers did not have the technical knowledge or modern tools to vinify each variety separately. But it was not just a matter of limitation: it was also a philosophy. By planting different varieties side by side, farmers protected themselves against the vagaries of nature (some varieties are more resistant to drought, others to mildew or frost) and sought a natural balance in the wine.
This type of planting produces wines with a complexity that is difficult to replicate in any other way. Each grape variety makes its contribution: acidity, colour, tannin, aroma, and structure. The result is a wine that is not the sum of its parts, but rather an expression of the vineyard, the climate, and the soil — in our case, schist, granite, and white quartz soils that influence the minerality of our wines.
Recovering and valuing field blends is also an act of preserving the Douro's wine-growing heritage. These vineyards are true genetic and cultural treasures. By caring for them, we not only guarantee authentic and inimitable wines but also pass on a living testimony of our identity to future generations. With this preservation in mind, at Quinta do Convento de São Pedro das Águias, we have new plantations based on the same concept, ensuring that this ancestral approach continues to be part of our future.
We believe that there is something profoundly modern in the idea of respecting time, place, and the natural diversity of the vineyard.
