Casa da Tojeira 'Tojeira' White Blend 2025
A wonderfully refreshing white wine from the mountainous Basto subregion of Vinho Verde, bursting with bright citrus, tropical fruit and delicate florals. Made from four traditional Portuguese grape varieties at a historic 17th-century wine estate, this is everything we love about northern Portugal in a glass.
Casa da Tojeira White Blend comes from Faia, near Cabeceiras de Basto, where vineyards surround a magnificent historic manor house in the heart of northern Portugal. Made from Loureiro, Azal, Arinto and Trajadura, four indigenous white grapes traditionally grown in Vinho Verde, this beautifully balanced wine captures the freshness, aromatic character and easy-drinking charm for which the region is famous.
The grapes are harvested by hand from vineyards planted between 250 and 350 metres above sea level, on a mixture of granite and schist-clay soils. After gentle pressing, the juice undergoes a cool, temperature-controlled fermentation lasting approximately 15–20 days, preserving the grapes' delicate fruit and floral aromas.
In the glass, expect a bright, pale lemon colour with inviting aromas of fresh citrus, tropical fruit and delicate white flowers. On the palate, it's wonderfully refreshing, with lively but balanced acidity, expressive fruit and a beautifully persistent finish. Its approachable character makes it equally enjoyable on its own or alongside everything from fresh seafood to Asian-inspired dishes.
At 12% ABV, it's a lovely example of traditional Vinho Verde: vibrant, aromatic, versatile and effortlessly enjoyable.
Meet the grapes behind the blend
Four indigenous Portuguese white grapes come together in this beautifully balanced wine, each contributing something different.
Loureiro (35%) – The Aromatics
Loureiro is one of Vinho Verde's most distinctive indigenous white grapes, celebrated for its beautifully fragrant personality.
Its name comes from the Portuguese word louro, meaning laurel or bay leaf, reflecting the delicate herbal character sometimes found in its wines.
Typical aromas include orange blossom, white flowers, citrus and subtle herbal notes, sometimes accompanied by hints of peach or green apple.
In this blend, Loureiro contributes an elegant aromatic lift, giving the wine its beautifully fragrant personality.
Azal (35%) – The Crispness
Azal is a traditional indigenous white grape particularly associated with the more inland subregions of Vinho Verde, including Basto.
It's renowned for its naturally high acidity, often producing wines with vibrant green apple, lemon and lime characteristics.
Interestingly, Azal is a relatively late-ripening grape that benefits from the warmer summer conditions found away from the Atlantic coast.
In this blend, it contributes the crisp, refreshing backbone that makes the wine so wonderfully lively.
Arinto (20%) – The Freshness
Arinto is one of Portugal's most celebrated indigenous white varieties, known locally as Pedernã in Vinho Verde.
It's particularly prized for its ability to retain refreshing acidity, even in warmer growing conditions.
Typical characteristics include lemon, lime, green apple and subtle mineral notes, bringing vibrancy and structure to white wines.
Alongside Azal, Arinto helps maintain the beautifully balanced acidity that makes this blend so food-friendly.
Trajadura (10%) – The Softness
Trajadura, known as Treixadura across the border in Galicia, is another traditional white grape from northern Portugal.
Compared with the sharper acidity of Azal and Arinto, Trajadura typically produces wines with a softer, rounder character.
Its aromas often include ripe pear, peach, apple and delicate floral notes, contributing fruit and a gentle sense of body.
In this blend, Trajadura helps soften the sharper edges of the other varieties, creating a beautifully harmonious wine.
Together, these four grapes create a lovely balance of Loureiro's delicate florals, Azal's crispness, Arinto's vibrant acidity and Trajadura's rounded fruit.
What exactly is Vinho Verde?
Despite what many people assume, Vinho Verde doesn't mean green-coloured wine.
The name translates literally as green wine, but refers to the lush, green landscape of northwestern Portugal and the region's tradition of producing fresh, youthful wines.
Vinho Verde is one of Portugal's largest and most historic wine regions, stretching across the verdant hills and river valleys of the country's northwest.
Although internationally famous for its refreshing white wines, the region also produces rosé, red and sparkling wines from a remarkable collection of indigenous grape varieties.
And here's something particularly interesting: not all Vinho Verde is sparkling.
The gentle spritz often associated with traditional Vinho Verde is a stylistic characteristic rather than a requirement of the region. Some wines are completely still, while others have a delicate natural effervescence.
What unites them is their connection to this beautiful region and its long winemaking heritage.
Casa da Tojeira's White Blend is a lovely introduction to the style, bringing together four traditional varieties in a beautifully refreshing, approachable wine.
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 maintaining 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 conditions are particularly well suited to varieties such as Azal, which benefits from warmer summers to achieve ripeness while retaining its naturally high acidity.
The result is a distinctive expression of Vinho Verde, combining bright freshness with expressive fruit and a little more body than some of the region's lighter coastal wines.
About Casa da Tojeira
Casa da Tojeira is a historic 17th-century manor house and wine estate located in Faia, near Cabeceiras de Basto, in the Basto subregion of Vinho Verde.
The magnificent manor house has stood for more than 300 years, preserving the architecture, traditions and character of northern Portugal.
Today, the estate combines winemaking, accommodation and wine tourism, welcoming visitors to experience its historic house, surrounding vineyards and the beautiful Basto countryside.
The winery works with a diverse collection of Portuguese indigenous grape varieties, including Alvarinho, Arinto, Azal, Avesso, Loureiro, Trajadura and Vinhão.
Under the direction of winemakers Filipe Ribeiro and Nuno Grosso, Casa da Tojeira produces everything from refreshing everyday whites to structured single-varietal wines, traditional reds and an impressive collection of sparkling wines.
Their Tojeira White Blend is a wonderful example of the estate's philosophy, celebrating the freshness and diversity of northern Portugal through a harmonious combination of traditional grapes.
It's also one of Justin's personal favourites at The Vinho, and a lovely introduction to the character and charm of Vinho Verde.
Aroma: Citrus · Tropical Fruit · White Flowers · Green Apple
Palate: Fresh · Light to Medium-bodied · Balanced Acidity · Expressive Fruit · Persistent Finish
Pair with: Grilled Shrimp · Clams · Seafood Rice · Grilled White Fish · Roast Chicken · Fresh Salads · Light Pasta Dishes · Asian Cuisine
Serving Temperature: 8–10°C / 46–50°F
