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Casa Santa Eulália 'Plainas' Loureiro White 2024
A beautifully fragrant and expressive Loureiro from the mountainous Basto subregion of Vinho Verde, combining delicate white flowers, ripe orchard fruit and refreshing acidity with a wonderfully concentrated texture. Produced at a historic family estate overlooking the Tâmega River, this is a lovely example of one of Portugal's most aromatic indigenous grapes.
Casa Santa Eulália Plainas Loureiro comes from the picturesque village of Atei, near Mondim de Basto, where the family's vineyards grow on granite-rich soils in the heart of northern Portugal. Made from 100% Loureiro, one of Vinho Verde's most distinctive indigenous white grapes, this beautifully expressive wine showcases the grape's wonderful combination of floral aromatics, ripe fruit and natural freshness.
The grapes are carefully harvested and fermented in stainless steel to preserve their delicate aromatic character. The Plainas Loureiro style also uses lees ageing with bâtonnage, helping develop a more concentrated, rounded texture while maintaining the freshness that makes the grape so appealing.
In the glass, expect a beautiful pale lemon colour with inviting aromas of white flowers, ripe apple, citrus and delicate stone fruit. On the palate, it's dry, elegant and beautifully balanced, with refreshing acidity, expressive orchard fruit and a wonderfully long, persistent finish.
At 12.5% ABV, it's a slightly more substantial expression of Vinho Verde, equally enjoyable on its own or alongside seafood, grilled fish and lighter Portuguese dishes.
What makes Loureiro special?
Loureiro is one of Portugal's most aromatic indigenous white grape varieties, particularly associated with the Vinho Verde region in northern Portugal.
Its name comes from the Portuguese word louro, meaning laurel or bay leaf, a reference to the distinctive herbal character sometimes found in its wines.
Unlike grapes celebrated primarily for their fruit, Loureiro is particularly prized for its wonderfully expressive floral personality.
Typical aromas include orange blossom, white flowers, lemon, lime and delicate herbal notes, sometimes accompanied by peach, green apple or subtle tropical fruit.
And here's something particularly interesting: Loureiro is often compared with other highly aromatic white grapes, but it has an important advantage for refreshing wine styles.
It can combine intense fragrance with naturally lively acidity, creating wines that are beautifully expressive without feeling heavy.
Historically, Loureiro was frequently blended with other Vinho Verde varieties, including Arinto and Trajadura, contributing its aromatic character to refreshing regional whites.
Today, however, more producers are showcasing Loureiro on its own, allowing wine lovers to appreciate the grape's distinctive personality.
Casa Santa Eulália's Plainas Loureiro is a wonderful example, combining delicate florals with ripe orchard fruit and a surprisingly concentrated mouthfeel.
What is bâtonnage, and why does it matter?
One of the most interesting things about this wine is how its texture can be developed without relying on oak barrels.
After fermentation, yeast cells naturally settle at the bottom of the tank. These are known as the lees.
Rather than removing them immediately, winemakers can leave the wine in contact with the fine lees, allowing compounds released by the yeast to contribute additional body and complexity.
Bâtonnage is the French term for stirring these lees, helping maintain contact between the wine and the yeast sediment.
Casa Santa Eulália has used this technique for its Plainas Loureiro, allowing the wine to develop a fuller, more rounded texture while preserving its beautiful floral and fruit character.
The result is a wine that feels more substantial than its fresh, delicate aromas might initially suggest.
It's a lovely example of how thoughtful winemaking can create depth and complexity while allowing the grape itself to remain the star.
Why is it called Plainas?
The name Plainas comes from the family's vineyard property in Atei, overlooking the beautiful Tâmega River.
And behind that name is a particularly lovely family story.
In 1962, the Plainas property was given as a family gift, becoming part of the family's agricultural heritage and strengthening their connection to the land.
Over the following decades, the vineyards became an important part of the family's winemaking story.
Today, the Plainas range celebrates that connection to family and place, producing wines that showcase the traditional grapes and distinctive growing conditions of Basto.
It's a wonderful reminder that in Portugal, wine is often about much more than what's in the glass. It's about the families, landscapes and traditions behind every bottle.
What makes Basto special?
Basto is one of the most inland subregions of Vinho Verde, where the lush green landscapes of northern Portugal begin to meet the rugged mountains of Trás-os-Montes.
Unlike the cooler, wetter coastal vineyards, Basto experiences colder winters and warmer, drier summers, allowing grapes to develop expressive fruit while retaining the refreshing acidity for which Vinho Verde is famous.
The region's predominantly granite soils, mountainous surroundings and the influence of the Tâmega River create distinctive growing conditions.
These warmer inland conditions can allow Loureiro to develop a riper, more concentrated fruit character while maintaining its naturally refreshing acidity.
And while Vinho Verde is internationally famous for its light, crisp white wines, the region is capable of producing much more structured and expressive styles.
Plainas Loureiro is a wonderful example, combining the aromatic elegance of Loureiro with the distinctive concentration and freshness of Basto.
About Casa Santa Eulália
Casa Santa Eulália is a historic family wine estate in Atei, near Mondim de Basto, in the Basto subregion of Vinho Verde.
The family's historic home dates back to the 17th century, and the property has been associated with the family since 1822, preserving generations of agricultural tradition in the beautiful Basto countryside.
Today, the winery is led by Francisco Marques Leandro, who combines the family's agricultural heritage with a modern approach to winemaking.
The vineyards benefit from the region's granite-rich soils, warmer inland summers and the influence of the Tâmega River, producing wines with expressive fruit and beautifully refreshing acidity.
Casa Santa Eulália works with a diverse range of indigenous Portuguese grape varieties, including Alvarinho, Arinto, Azal, Loureiro, Trajadura, Espadeiro and Vinhão.
Their Plainas range celebrates the family's historic vineyard property, producing wines that showcase both the freshness and remarkable diversity of Vinho Verde.
It's a wonderful example of how a family winery can preserve its heritage while introducing wine lovers to the distinctive character of northern Portugal's indigenous grapes.
Aroma: White Flowers · Ripe Apple · Citrus · Peach
Palate: Dry · Light to Medium-bodied · Rounded Texture · Refreshing Acidity · Concentrated Fruit · Long, Persistent Finish
Pair with: Grilled Shrimp · Clams · Seafood Rice · Grilled White Fish · Roast Chicken · Sushi · Fresh Goat Cheese · Light Pasta Dishes
Serving Temperature: 8–10°C / 46–50°F
