Quinta da Mariposa
Our History
Quinta da Mariposa is a family project of Lúcia Freitas and Filipe Cruz, based in the small
Village Carregal do Sal, in the heart of the Dão. It all started in 1985, when Lúcia's grandfather,
António Correia, planted a small vineyard in Dão.
Graduated in chemistry, as fate would have it, Lúcia Freitas started working in the wine business at the largest Dão wine company in her homeland. During 11 years she produce a wide range of wines since large volume wines to premium niche wines which were very well recognized in Portugal. She is responsible for the winemaking as well as for viticulture in partnership with his grandfather António Correia.
Filipe Cruz, manager, joined the wine business in 2011 and does a little bit of everything... He often says that all the bottles produced pass through his hands! The wines produced here by both have a more modern style, a lot of personality and the unmistakable character of Dão wines.
Graduated in chemistry, as fate would have it, Lúcia Freitas started working in the wine business at the largest Dão wine company in her homeland. During 11 years she produce a wide range of wines since large volume wines to premium niche wines which were very well recognized in Portugal. She is responsible for the winemaking as well as for viticulture in partnership with his grandfather António Correia.
Filipe Cruz, manager, joined the wine business in 2011 and does a little bit of everything... He often says that all the bottles produced pass through his hands! The wines produced here by both have a more modern style, a lot of personality and the unmistakable character of Dão wines.
Quinta da mariposa
About the Estate
Quinta da Mariposa was planted in 1985 by António Correia, grandfather, and has always been treated as a garden.
It gathers the most traditional varieties of red and white grapes, and it is in a terroir with rocky granite outcrops and a superb view of Serra da Estrela Mountain, the highest in mainland Portugal.
The climate is temperate with greater Mediterranean influence, as the region is protected from the Atlantic by several mountains.
Quinta da mariposa
The Dão Region
Dão is a region full of history which demarcated in 1908. Planted in mountainous land and surrounded by pine tree forests, it is a region of extreme beauty that is worth getting to know better!
Alfrocheiro (red grape)
Introduced in the post-phylloxera period, has an excellent adaptation to the wines of the region with a very
distinct performance. In the vineyard it is sensitive and requires a lot of care. The wines are austere and marked
by dark, discreet fruit. It has a very lively acidity and imposing tannins that brighten the most complex blends.
Jaen (red grape)
Vigorous grape variety that requires tight control of the productions in the vineyard. Early, it has little
concentration, moderate acidity, but is very fragrant, resulting in fresh and silky wines. Excellent variety to
smooth the Dão blends for the entry level, maintaining it’s character.
Cerceal-white (white grape)
Usually confused with the Cercial of Bairrada or the Sercial of Madeira, this is a different variety from the
previous ones, with a predominance in the Dão and Douro. It is a variety with a discreet aroma, but high acidity
and citrus flavours which comes out in blended wines as well. Excellent ageing potential.
Bical (white grape)
Early grape variety, very aromatic with a predominance of tropical notes. It has excellent acidity and produces soft, aromatic, fresh and well-structured wines.
Touriga Nacional (red grape)
At the end of the XIX century this variety represented 90% of the total grapes planted in the region. It practically disappeared in the 70's, but nowadays it is recognized as the best red
grape variety in the Dão region, being the most famous Portuguese variety in the world. With a complex aroma
with notes of fruits and wildflowers, it is extremely complete and balanced.
Tinta Roriz (red grape)
Iberian grape variety, also known as Tempranillo or Aragonez. Easy to treat in the vineyard, it gives rise to good
productions and aromatic and smooth wines with spice notes. Excellent variety to keep, especially due to the
latest climate changes.
Encruzado (white grape)
It is not the most planted but it is the one which best represents the virtues of the white wines produced in the
Dão Region. Impeccable oenological quality, it produces wines with a complex and sophisticated aroma, full-
bodied, with lively acidity and excellent ageing potential.
Malvasia Fina (white grape)
One of the ancient grape varieties in Dão, also known as “Arinto do Dão”, it is a delicate variety, with discreet
floral aromas. It's fresh and fruity, great for entry-level batches. It is also used in the Douro and Madeira, where it
is known as Boal.
Alfrocheiro (red grape)
Introduced in the post-phylloxera period, has an excellent adaptation to the wines of the region with a very
distinct performance. In the vineyard it is sensitive and requires a lot of care. The wines are austere and marked
by dark, discreet fruit. It has a very lively acidity and imposing tannins that brighten the most complex blends.
Jaen (red grape)
Vigorous grape variety that requires tight control of the productions in the vineyard. Early, it has little
concentration, moderate acidity, but is very fragrant, resulting in fresh and silky wines. Excellent variety to
smooth the Dão blends for the entry level, maintaining it’s character.
Cerceal-white (white grape)
Usually confused with the Cercial of Bairrada or the Sercial of Madeira, this is a different variety from the
previous ones, with a predominance in the Dão and Douro. It is a variety with a discreet aroma, but high acidity
and citrus flavours which comes out in blended wines as well. Excellent ageing potential.
Bical (white grape)
Early grape variety, very aromatic with a predominance of tropical notes. It has excellent acidity and produces soft, aromatic, fresh and well-structured wines.
Touriga Nacional (red grape)
At the end of the XIX century this variety represented 90% of the total grapes planted in the region. It practically disappeared in the 70's, but nowadays it is recognized as the best red
grape variety in the Dão region, being the most famous Portuguese variety in the world. With a complex aroma
with notes of fruits and wildflowers, it is extremely complete and balanced.
Tinta Roriz (red grape)
Iberian grape variety, also known as Tempranillo or Aragonez. Easy to treat in the vineyard, it gives rise to good
productions and aromatic and smooth wines with spice notes. Excellent variety to keep, especially due to the
latest climate changes.
Encruzado (white grape)
It is not the most planted but it is the one which best represents the virtues of the white wines produced in the
Dão Region. Impeccable oenological quality, it produces wines with a complex and sophisticated aroma, full-
bodied, with lively acidity and excellent ageing potential.
Malvasia Fina (white grape)
One of the ancient grape varieties in Dão, also known as “Arinto do Dão”, it is a delicate variety, with discreet
floral aromas. It's fresh and fruity, great for entry-level batches. It is also used in the Douro and Madeira, where it
is known as Boal.