VZ Douro White

The 2023 harvest at Van Zellers & Co reflected a year marked by atypical weather conditions and a challenging vegetative cycle. Winter was warm and rainy, with elevated spring temperatures and a relatively stable summer, due to rainfall in June and September. Throughout the cycle, the vineyard’s development demonstrated resilience, with a slight delay in budding, followed by an early veraison, driven by the high spring temperatures.

Conditions favorable to mildew and powdery mildew were occasional but well-managed, allowing the production to maintain its quality. The September rains, which brought some rot in certain clusters, were skillfully handled by the viticulture team, always balancing nature and human intervention.

Qualitatively, the harvest showed larger berries with a higher concentration of tannins, remaining within the parameters that ensure the production of exceptional wines. The alcohol content was slightly lower than average, as were acidity and polyphenol levels, but all within the range that defines the distinctive and iconic profile of our wines.

This year’s harvest adds another chapter to our long history, where nature, despite its variations, continues to be shaped by the knowledge and dedication of those who work these centuries-old lands.