The 2024/2025 viticultural year was marked by temperatures consistently above average and rainfall levels below the Climatological Normal, qualifying it as a dry and extremely hot year. Rainfall was concentrated mainly in January, March, and April, while the subsequent period from June to August was characterized by prolonged drought and intense heat. The winter was warm and dry; although March was colder than average and previous years, Spring was generally warm with irregular rainfall. Summer was extremely hot and dry, while the harvest period in September took place under favorable, cooler, and rain-free conditions.
In summary, 2025 was characterized as extremely hot and dry.
At Quinta do Vallado – Régua, from November 2024 to the end of October 2025, rainfall totaled 668mm, compared to a 30-year average of 848.9mm (-21%). January and March were the wettest months, significantly above average; April remained above average, though less pronounced. The remaining months were considerably drier, with rainfall being almost non-existent during the harvest period.
At Orgal in Foz Côa, during the same period, rainfall totaled 474mm, compared to the historical average of 534.9mm (-11%), following a similar pattern to Régua. The main difference was April, where rainfall was 70% above average, ensuring that precipitation levels remained close to the climatological normal until the end of that month. Rain continued normally in May, but the drought intensified from June to September; during this period, rainfall was 70% lower than average, with no rain during the harvest.
2025 was an extremely hot year. Although March felt very cold, from May onwards in Régua, temperatures were consistently higher than in previous years (many of which were already extraordinarily hot) and always above average. June stood out with temperatures 2°C above average and, for example, +4.64°C higher than in 2019. Conversely, September—the main harvest month—was cooler than average.
In Orgal, the pattern was similar, with the exception of March and April. Temperatures were consistently above average. June and August showed the greatest deviations, at +2.7°C and +3.3°C above average, respectively (several heatwaves occurred until August, significantly impacting the vineyards). September was a cooler month.
Since Quinta do Vallado began its own climate records in 2010, the period from June to August 2025 was the driest and hottest on record.
At the beginning of the vegetative cycle and early Spring, lower temperatures and soil moisture favored a delay in vineyard development. However, from the end of May, high temperatures and heatwaves were felt until the last week of August, coupled with a near-total absence of rain.
In this context, until June, the primary concern was defending the vines against diseases such as downy mildew. From June onwards, the focus shifted to the possibility of sunburn, which did occur in some vineyards in June, albeit residually. Over time, as the grapes became more acclimated and sunburn damage did not recur, the vines were subjected to various abiotic stresses—excessive sun exposure, high temperatures, and depletion of soil water reserves. This led to a drop in production, specifically due to the small growth and development of the berries.
Nevertheless, the grapes showed excellent resilience to these adversities, and almost no over-ripening occurred. The harvest was brought forward, beginning in Régua on August 12th with the Moscatel plots and in Orgal on August 22th with Baga. Subsequently, thanks to a cool and dry September, the harvest proceeded at a steady pace until its conclusion on September 26th.
The result is wines of excellent quality and remarkable balance, showing above-average quality, especially in the case of Red wines and Port wines.
The 2025 wines display great intensity: deep color, expressive fruity aromas, striking structure, and good volume on the palate, while remaining very well-balanced.