AXA acquires second Douro property

AXA Millésimes has announced its acquisition of a second property in the Douro Valley, Quinta do Passadouro, from the Bohrmann family.

The estate has 36 hectares of vineyard in the Pinhão and Roncão valleys, the same locations AXA’s Quinta do Noval has “significant” holdings.

The current winemaking team at Passadouro will be retained and merged with the team at Quinta do Noval and the company’s total area under vine now amounts to 181ha.

AXA Millésimes also announced that while the teams may combine, it intended to “maintain” both the Passadouro brand and its range of red and white table wines and fortified wines.

Passadouro’s consulting winemaker Jorge Borges will no longer be connected with the property however.

AXA Millésimes’ managing director, Christian Seely, said: “I am delighted to announce that we have acquired Quinta do Passadouro from the Bohrmann family, who have been neighbours and friends for many years.

“The vineyard of Passadouro consists of two principal parcels, both marching with the vineyard of Quinta do Noval. One parcel is in the Pinhão Valley, where the majority of Noval’s vineyard is situated, and which ranks among the greatest vineyard terroir of the Douro Valley, and the other parcel is in the Roncão Valley, where Noval also has very significant vineyard holdings, and which is also vineyard terroir of the highest level. Quinta do Noval’s Vintage Ports are sourced from grapes from both the Pinhão and Roncão Valleys, and so we know the quality of the vineyards of Passadouro that neighbour ours.

“Passadouro has been lovingly cared for by the Bohrmann family for many years, and we are very happy to have been able to acquire this wonderful property, and to be able to build on the excellent work they have achieved here since the vineyard was acquired by Dieter Bohrmann in 1991. The vineyards of Passadouro will continue to be looked after by Quinta do Noval with the same devotion as before, and we look forward to producing many great wines from this very special place.”

Ans Bohrmann added: “We are thrilled to have found a strong new owner for Quinta do Passadouro which subscribes to our wine philosophy and will ensure the long term future of this amazing winery.

“Passadouro started as a warm-hearted hobby-project of the family, more than 25 years ago. During this period the family was lucky to work with some of the most talented and dedicated people in the region. If Passadouro has become a strong brand with high quality products it is mainly thanks to those people. The Bohrmann family wishes to thank everyone who has contributed to the success of Quinta do Passadouro.

“The time has come to hand-over to a new owner who will build on these achievements. We believe Noval’s professionalism and renowned wine makers will ensure Passadouro’s long-term success.”

As well as the now two estates in the Douro, Seely also oversees his own property in the region, Quinta da Romaneira.

In July last year AXA Millésimes acquired Outpost Wines in Napa Valley, its first property in the US.