Lua Cheia-Saven: A Modern Approach to Traditional Portuguese Wines
Lua Cheia-Saven, founded in 2009 by winemaker Francisco Baptista and businessman Manuel Dias, has quickly risen as a key player in Portuguese winemaking. The estate’s unique approach stems from the combination of Baptista’s winemaking expertise and Dias’s innovative business strategy. Today, Lua Cheia-Saven produces wines across several renowned regions of Portugal, including Douro, Vinho Verde, Dão, and Alentejo. They are particularly celebrated for their Douro wines, which include a range of powerful reds sourced from old vines and showcasing the best of this historic region.
Terroir and Vineyards
Lua Cheia-Saven owns and manages over 40 hectares of vineyards in the Douro and Vinho Verde regions, all farmed organically. In addition, through partnerships with local growers, they have access to 200 additional hectares across other regions like Alentejo and Dão. The Douro Valley, where some of the finest Lua Cheia wines originate, is characterized by schist and granite-rich soils, as well as terraced vineyards that rise steeply above the Douro River. The combination of these well-drained soils and the region’s hot, dry summers results in wines with concentrated fruit flavors and firm tannins.
The estate’s Quinta do Bronze vineyard, located in the heart of the Douro, is particularly renowned. Planted with old, field-blend vines, this vineyard produces powerful, aromatic wines that express the complexity of the Douro’s diverse terroirs. The grapes from this vineyard are often blended with fruit from other subregions—Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo, and Douro Superior—to balance acidity, complexity, and ripe fruit flavors.
Winemaking Philosophy
Lua Cheia-Saven emphasizes the importance of blending modern technology with traditional winemaking methods. Their Douro wines are vinified in stainless steel tanks and aged in a combination of French oak barrels and concrete eggs to enhance texture and complexity. The wines often undergo extended sur lie aging with battonage (stirring of the lees), which adds depth and richness to both white and red wines. Across their portfolio, the wines reflect the terroir and unique characteristics of each region, offering excellent value for money.
Notable Wines
Lua Cheia-Saven’s Douro Reserva Andreza Tinto is one of their standout offerings, showcasing a blend of Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, and Tinta Roriz. This wine is aged for 10 months in oak and is known for its rich, dark fruit flavors, elegant tannins, and hints of vanilla and spice, making it a versatile choice for pairing with various dishes
