Ermelinda Freitas was born and raised in Fernando Pó, a village in the Península de Setúbal wine region. Together with her husband, she ran a winery that produced and bottled wine for other producers. In 1997, she and her daughter Leonor decided to start producing and bottling wines under the name Casa Ermelinda Freitas. Leonor is now the fourth generation at the helm. In 2010, significant investments were made in a new winery with large production and storage capacity. The vineyards cover 240 hectares, 160 of which are planted with the Castelão grape variety. 60 hectares are planted with the red grape varieties Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira, Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Franca, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, and 20 hectares with the white grape varieties Fernão Pires, Arinto, Antão Vaz, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdelho, and Viognier. Due to the vineyards' prime location, Casa Ermelinda Freitas is often considered the best wine producer in the region. The wines win numerous national and international awards each year.
Only the finest juice is good enough to end up in Ermelinda Freitas' bottles. Therefore, the ripening grapes are strictly controlled and selected. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. Finally, the juice is aged for six to eight months in French oak.
The wine has a dark red color and displays notes of red fruit and a subtle oaky note. As the wine ages, it develops more dried fruit and spice. Dry, soft, and fruity with good structure and fine tannins. It has a long and pleasant finish.
