Grau Baumé
Grau Baume is the personal project of winemakers Hugo Mateus and Ana Hespanhol, a husband-and-wife team whose work is centered at Quinta do Zimbro in the heart of the Douro Valley. Located in the Cima Corgo sub-region, near the village of Santa Marta de Penaguiao, the estate sits on steep slopes of fractured schist, where the vines struggle for water and nutrients. This specific topography and the couple’s dedication to low-intervention viticulture define the identity of their wines, which move away from the heavy, over-extracted styles historically associated with the region in favor of precision, freshness, and structural elegance.
The viticulture at Grau Baume is defined by a deep respect for the natural equilibrium of the Douro landscape. Managing approximately thirteen hectares of vines, Hugo and Ana follow organic and sustainable farming principles, prioritizing soil health and biodiversity over high yields. The vineyards are dry-farmed, and many sit at high elevations, allowing the grapes to retain a vibrant natural acidity that is often lost in the intense heat of the valley floor. By focusing on traditional indigenous varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, and Tinto Cao, they ensure that the plants are inherently resilient and well-adapted to the local climate, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
In the cellar, the winemaking philosophy extends the work done in the field. Every harvest is conducted by hand, with fruit transported in small crates to prevent bruising and spontaneous oxidation. Hugo and Ana employ a non-intrusive approach that includes the use of indigenous yeasts for all fermentations and a rejection of industrial additives or aggressive fining and filtration. This commitment to purity is evident across their two distinct lines: the signature Grau Baume labels, which often undergo extended aging in French oak to develop complexity and depth, and the UNDO series, which focuses on raw, experimental expressions, including high-acid whites and ancestral-method sparkling wines.
The resulting wines are a direct reflection of the schistous earth and the meticulous care provided by the two winemakers. Whether exploring the power and refined tannins of their Tinto or the electric energy of their Pet Nat, the portfolio consistently displays a saline minerality and a sense of place that is both authentic and contemporary. By maintaining a small-scale, hands-on production, Hugo and Ana are able to oversee every stage of the process, ensuring that each bottle carries the honest character of the Douro and the unique vision of the people who created it.
