Casa Ferreirinha

Casa Ferreirinha pioneered Douro still wines when the region was dominated by Port producers. Founded in 1952 by Fernando Nicolau de Almeida, who created Portugal's most illustrious red wine, Barca-Velha, the house has spent seven decades perfecting dry red, white and rosé expressions across the Douro Valley. Today, winemaker Luís Sottomayor—trained by Almeida himself—leads the estate with a philosophy of restraint and freshness: balancing the Douro's natural power with vibrant texture and depth. Named after Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira, a formidable 19th-century widow who ran Port House Ferreira, Casa Ferreirinha owns 520 hectares across all three Douro subregions and sources its premium wines exclusively from Douro Superior.

About Casa Ferreirinha

Casa Ferreirinha's 520-hectare estate spans Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo, and Douro Superior, with Quinta da Leda as its flagship property near the Spanish border. This far-eastern location in Douro Superior defines the house style: wines with ripe fruit but managed power, achieved through careful site selection and fruit handling.

Luís Sottomayor's approach reflects modern Douro winemaking: using larger oak vessels and restraint with new oak to preserve natural flavours, whilst blending fruit from multiple sites to balance ripeness across vintages. The unoaked wines—Papa Figos white (a blend of Rabigato, Viosinho, Gouveio, Arinto and Códega) and Esteva red—deliver crisp aromatics and juicy immediacy. The oaked expressions show Casa Ferreirinha's depth: Vinha Grande and Callabriga display textured richness; Quinta da Leda, the house flagship, achieves complexity through careful site and vintage selection. This range, from everyday reds to premium reserve bottlings, reflects the estate's role in establishing that Douro still wines could rival Port in ambition.

Casa Ferreirinha Wines in Our Collection

Our range spans Casa Ferreirinha's portfolio across price and style. For fresh, approachable daily drinking, the 2024 Papa Figos Tinto (93pts) and 2023 Esteva (90pts James Suckling) offer ripe, juicy character without oak. The Papa Figos also comes as a white and now as a 2024 white bottling (90pts), both crisp and aromatic for lighter meals. For serious cellaring, Quinta da Leda—the flagship—delivers: the 2020 vintage scored 95pts James Suckling and 93pts Falstaff, whilst the 2022 (93pts, 95pts Grandes Escolhas) confirms consistency at the top. Callabriga 2023 (91pts James Suckling) and Castas Escondidas 2022 (93pts James Suckling) bridge the gap between everyday and reserve. The Planalto white (90pts James Suckling) showcases higher-elevation freshness. All are Douro DOC wines made as dry still bottlings, ranging from unoaked to classically aged expressions.

Food Pairing

Papa Figos reds suit cured meats, grilled chicken, and tomato-based dishes. Vinha Grande red pairs with roasted lamb, mushroom risotto, and aged cheeses. Quinta da Leda handles game, beef stews, and meat-forward Portuguese cuisine. The whites—Papa Figos, Planalto, Vinha Grande—work with seafood, goat's cheese, and herb-driven fish dishes. The Vinha Grande rosé bridges both: charcuterie boards, grilled prawns, and light pasta.

What makes Casa Ferreirinha different from other Douro producers?

Casa Ferreirinha pioneered quality Douro still wines when the region focused on Port. Founded 1952, it was the first dedicated to dry reds, whites and rosés. Winemaker Luís Sottomayor applies restraint—less new oak, multiple-site blending—to balance ripeness with freshness.

What is Quinta da Leda and why is it important?

Quinta da Leda is Casa Ferreirinha's flagship estate in Douro Superior near Spain. Its location defines the house style. Quinta da Leda red wine (2020: 95pts James Suckling; 2022: 93pts, 95pts Grandes Escolhas) represents the producer's top expression.

Which Casa Ferreirinha wines are best for beginners?

Start with Papa Figos Tinto (2024: 93pts, unoaked, juicy) or Esteva (2023: 90pts, ripe and accessible). Both deliver Casa Ferreirinha's fruit-forward style without oak complexity. Papa Figos white offers crisp, aromatic freshness.

Who makes Casa Ferreirinha wines?

Casa Ferreirinha was founded in 1952 by Fernando Nicolau de Almeida. Today, winemaker Luís Sottomayor—trained by Almeida himself—leads the 520-hectare estate across the Douro Valley in Portugal.

What style of wine does Casa Ferreirinha make?

Casa Ferreirinha makes dry still wines: reds, whites, and rosés from Douro varieties. The 2024 Papa Figos Tinto scored 93 points and balances ripe fruit with vibrant freshness, reflecting the house philosophy of restraint and depth.

How much does Casa Ferreirinha wine cost?

Casa Ferreirinha wines range from £11.55 to £50.55. Entry-level bottlings like Esteva and Papa Figos start around £11–£13; premium reserves like Quinta da Leda reach £49–£51.