Niepoort 2021 Quinta de Baixo "Lagar de Baixo" Bairrada Tinto

100% Baga

Bairrada, Portugal

Medium Body

Fresh and vibrant with subtle earthiness and minerality. Soft red berries and hint of herbs and spice on the nose. The palate is clean and bright with a touch of very fine, well-integrated tannin.

Biodynamic

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Vineyards & Viticulture: With the acquisition of the Quinta de Baixo in 2012, Niepoort was able to convert the property to biodynamic principles over two years. The result is a combination of very old vines and younger vines.

Soils: Calcareous clay

Harvest & Vinification: Grapes are manually harvested. The wine was fermented in open lagares for four weeks before completing its fermentation process in large, used 2500 L vats. In these same vats, the wine went through malolactic fermentation and a maturation period of 20 months before it was bottled unfiltered.

Producer Profile: Quinta de Baixo is a 25-hectare estate nestled in the heart of Bairrada, where limestone-rich calcareous soils lend precision, energy, and structure to its wines. Originally acquired in 2006 by winemaker Sérgio Silva, the estate underwent a major transformation when Dirk Niepoort joined in 2012, bringing new vision and momentum to the project.

Niepoort's arrival marked a turning point for Quinta de Baixo, allowing for long-envisioned changes to take root—most notably, a full conversion to Biodynamic viticulture. To lead this transition, the estate brought in the late Andrew Lorand, a pioneer in biodynamics, who lived on-site from 2013 to 2014 to train and guide the team. Thanks to this intensive effort, all of the estate’s vineyards are now farmed according to Biodynamic principles, reinforcing a deep connection between soil, plant, and climate.

The vineyards focus on native Bairrada varieties: Baga for reds and Bical and Maria Gomes for whites. Vinification at Quinta de Baixo is driven by restraint and a respect for the grapes. Red wines incorporate whole clusters and stems to create lighter, more elegant expressions of Baga—wines with concentration and depth, but without excessive extraction or alcohol.

Quinta de Baixo stands today as a benchmark for the new Bairrada—honoring tradition while embracing forward-thinking practices. Under the stewardship of Niepoort, the estate has become a model for how thoughtful farming and minimal intervention can unlock the full potential of this unique terroir.