Alvaro Castro, a maverick self-trained winemaker, is a pioneer of quality estate wine growing and leading light in the Dão region of Portugal. Inheriting vineyards in 1980, today he owns three estates in the Dão’s Serra da Estrela sub-region - Quintas de Saes, Pellada and Outeiro. Castro was joined by his daughter Maria Castro in 2000, who now oversees winemaking and the vineyards, which have been cultivated without chemicals for years. Totalling around 60ha, the vines are aged between 3 and 65 years and sit at an average altitude of 550m. The traditional grape varieties – Encruzado, Cercial, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Jaen, Alfrocheiro, Baga - are planted on granite soil with sand, clay and quartz. Terroir-driven, very pure, even Castro’s entry level wines brim with character.

The Dão Branco is a bright, fresh and friendly Portuguese white made from indigenous varieties such as Encruzado, Cercial Branco and Bical that are often overlooked. Clean and vibrant with notes of zesty citrus and a lovely mineral finish; this wine offers fantastic value for money.