FROM THE GOLDEN DOURO VALLEY
Two winemakers who strongly influenced the history of wine in Portugal in the last decades, in two regions that the world recognizes as being of high quality and personality, the Douro and Alentejo, are gathered in a project envisaged and brought to life in the age-old vineyards of the Douro Valley.
“DUORUM” (a Latin expression that means “from two”) started in January 2007, expressing the wishes of João Portugal Ramos and José Maria Soares Franco to join their activities as professional winemakers in a project with unique characteristics and international dimension.
The vineyards are located in the regions of Cima Corgo and Upper Douro, two exceptional and protected terroirs, on slopes at different altitudes (150-500m), with carefully selected varieties of indigenous grapes. Cima Corgo is located at the geographic center of the Douro, having low rainfall around 600mm, high temperatures and thermal fluctuations during the vine cycle. On the other hand, the Upper Douro is characterized by a Mediterranean climate, which explains the higher temperatures in Spring and Summer, and the yearly rainfall of around 400mm.
The vineyards as well as the winery are located in the Douro Demarcated Wine Region, one of the most ancient in the world. Its landscape and cultural value have been recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage. Additionally, Duorum’ vineyards are in two locations that are part of the European Network for Nature Conservation (Natura 2000), Special Protection Areas for Birds in the International Douro and Vale do Águeda, as well as in Site of Community Importance (SCI) in International Douro.
Duorum exemplary environmental and agricultural policy has been recognized by the Portuguese Nature Conservation Institute, and consequently Duorum was accepted as member of the European Initiative on Business & Biodiversity, a network of European companies that integrate nature conservation and biodiversity concerns in its business. This commitment became an important tool for reaching the rigorous environmental standards set by Duorum.