Churchill’s announced the release of a limited edition of Churchill’s Quinta da Gricha 2022 Vintage Port – the latest edition of its Single Quinta Vintage Port wine. Johnny Graham, founder and master blender of Churchill’s, describes it as “a classic Quinta da Gricha Vintage with intensity and elegance, with potential for aging in the bottle for many years.” With a deep color, a spicy nose, and aromas of rockrose and fresh blueberries, “it is rich and vibrant, with firm tannins and a long, persistent finish,” says Johnny Graham.

Quinta da Gricha is located on the south bank of the Douro River between Pinhão and Tua, facing north. The property, with 40 hectares, includes a vineyard area of approximately 30 hectares. Named after the natural spring (gricha) that feeds the north-facing vineyards, Quinta da Gricha is situated in a microclimate between 150 and 400 meters above sea level, with an exposure to the wind that naturally regulates humidity. The oldest vines are over 70 years old and produce wines with structure and a vibrant natural acidity. The richness of Gricha’s terroir produces wines with characteristic minerality, freshness, and pure energy.

Quinta da Gricha’s Vintage Ports are produced with minimal intervention: sourced exclusively from the estate’s old vines, the grapes are hand-picked, double-sorted, and foot-trodden in the traditional granite lagares of the Quinta, with a prolonged natural fermentation process that uses only native yeasts. “A true example of the unique conditions of this place.”

The Churchill’s Quinta da Gricha Vintage Port 2022 was the result of a very hot and dry year. Due to the lack of precipitation and high temperatures during the ripening period, the harvest started earlier than expected. Some rainfall and lower temperatures in early September benefited the overall quality of the grapes, without having a major impact on yields, which were 15 to 20% below the previous year. The old vines producing this Single Quinta Vintage were harvested on September 11th under perfect weather conditions.

“Despite the very difficult conditions preceding the harvest, with a dramatic lack of water since winter and extremely hot and dry summer months, our Churchill’s Quinta da Gricha Vintage Port 2022 is a true example of the unique conditions of this magical place: a Port full of grip and intensity, but at the same time elegant, pure, and seductive. A wine I am very proud to showcase,” says Ricardo Pinto Nunes, Production Director and Winemaker at Churchill’s. “Despite the hot and dry year, this Churchill’s Quinta da Gricha Vintage Port 2022 presents a characteristic aroma of spices and resin, with fresh and exuberant notes of blueberry on the palate. It is a classic Quinta da Gricha Vintage Port, with intensity and elegance, that will age gracefully for many years,” notes Johnny Graham, Founder and Chief Winemaker at Churchill’s.

All Quinta da Gricha’s Vintage Ports are produced in very small quantities. The Churchill’s Quinta da Gricha 2022 Vintage Port is a bottling of only 3094 numbered bottles of 75cl and 150 magnums (1.5l).

Available at Churchill’s wine tourism spaces, wine stores, and specialized shops.