Niepoort (Vinhos) S.A.

Harvest Report 2009 by Dirk Niepoort, Luis Seabra and Nick Delaforce

Fotos by Rita Burmester & João Rico

Anti-crise T-shirt (foto de Rita Burmester)

Although we had a reasonable amount of rain during the month of June in Pinhão, July and August were quite dry with less than 3,5 mm of precipitation. The total rainfall in 2009 until the end of the month of September was 30 to 40% less than the average over the previous 30 years. The other significant impact on the year were the very high temperatures as of 12th August that remained during the month of September without any rain, except for a light thunderstorm in the middle of the month.

For the Douro wines we started harvesting very early – August, and we feared it would be a difficult year with all the wines over 14º alcohol, but the fact is that we are using so many high altitude, north facing vineyards and the perfect timing to start harvesting (earlier than everyone else in Douro), made the difference. Fruit arrived in the winery in very good condition and we manage to harvest most of the vineyards without having raisins, the main work was to chill grapes before being processed in the winery. Tasting everything we have made and still fermenting we feel quite happy with all the wines, which exhibit very deep colours and good concentration but maintaining freshness. White wines are also very promising, with very good freshness and incredibly low alcohol content.

We believe it is a great year for Ports, low yields and high concentration, deep colours - everything we need for great ports. The first fruit was harvested very early on 28 th August from more exposed vineyards in Vale de Mendiz and then later from Soutelo where classic, robust wines have been made while at the same time some wonderfully elegant,individual and fresh wines have been made from less exposed north facing vineyards in Vale de Mendiz. The Pisca vineyard was picked at different stages of the harvest and has produced some very fine wines. The high temperatures were a constant challenge and all wines exhibited high pH´s, the wines have now all been corrected and it will most interesting to see how they close up over the coming winter months.