In Portugal, the Verdelho grape variety was one that didn’t survive on the mainland, but remained unaffected on Portuguese archipelagos. In Madeira, from where it originates, the grape thrived, occupying two thirds of all vineyards at the time and becoming one of the island’s most important grapes.
Today, over 100 years after the scourge, we can find Verdelho dotted throughout the world. Eleven years ago, inspired by Australian wines and quality of the grape, winemaker David Baverstock brought it to Herdade do Esporão. As a white grape that did well in warm climates, it adapted beautifully to our terroir.
It was planted in the “Canto dos Esquecidos” (The Forgotten Corner) area, in
granite/schist soils with a light-clay structure. And that is where our Verdelho comes from.
