The Press and 20 years of Primado - Revista de Vinhos

The Pereira de Melo family traces its roots to the historic village of Melo, on the northern slopes of the Serra da Estrela. However, it was in Santa Comba Dão, in 1973, that the family's connection to the terroir of the Dão region took shape, with the establishment of a two-hectare estate.

Manuel Pereira de Melo later inherited the land and began contemplating the idea of bottling and creating a distinctive product.

At the time, he worked as head of international markets for Sociedade dos Vinhos Borges, where Anselmo Mendes also served as consulting oenologist. The existing vineyard was uprooted and replanted in 1990 with grape varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Alfrocheiro, Jaen, and Tinta Pinheira.

When Manuel left Borges in 1996 to open the iconic Restaurante Bar Praia do Ourigo—introducing a new standard for dining in Porto—he continued to defer his winemaking ambitions.

This dream was finally realised in 2004 when Anselmo Mendes deemed the wine worthy of the aspiring producer's goals. That first vintage was released in 2008, and since then, Primado wines have been released gradually and without haste, only when considered ready.

The producer achieves an average annual output of 10,000 bottles, sold exclusively within Portugal's Horeca sector, particularly in Porto, Lisbon, and the Algarve.

The portfolio consists of five wines: a white, a rosé, and three reds.

Primado 20, a special edition of only 315 Magnums, is a blend of wines from several yet-to-be-released vintages. It is a collector’s edition created to celebrate the first 20 years of a personal project now shared with a new generation.

Tasting Notes
Ruby in colour. The aromatic profile evokes a forest setting, with notes of blackberry, redcurrant, cedar, and forest floor. The tannins are elegant yet present, and the underlying acidity enhances the wine's character. The finish is deep, with a well-defined primary structure that adds charm to its grip. This wine promises longevity.

José João Santos - Luís Costa