Kranemann Wine Estates

Overview

Kranemann Wine Estates is a project launched by Christoph Kranemann in 2018 at the historic Quinta do Convento de São Pedro das Águias in the Vale do Távora. The estate itself is traced by the producer to Cistercian monks in the 12th century. The main vineyards lie at around 320 to 420 metres, mainly facing north and north-east, on schist and granite. This cooler high-altitude terroir shapes both Douro DOC wines and Ports, with freshness and acidity playing a central stylistic role.

Fact table

Feature Details
Producer Kranemann Wine Estates
Project start 2018
Founder/owner Christoph Kranemann
Main estate Quinta do Convento de São Pedro das Águias
Historical roots 12th century, Cistercian monks
Location Távora, Tabuaço
Total area around 150 ha
Main-estate vineyards around 27 ha
Altitude 320–420 m
Soils schist and granite
Ports Ruby, Ruby Reserve, LBV, Vintage, Tawny, 10/20/30 Years, Colheita
Website https://kranemannestates.com/en

History

The estate is historically associated with a 12th-century Cistercian monastery. It changed ownership several times during the 20th and early 21st centuries while remaining connected with wine. Christoph Kranemann acquired it in 2018 and launched Kranemann Wine Estates. Maria Susete Melo and Diogo Lopes worked on winemaking in the project’s early phase, while several product pages also name Anselmo Mendes. The 2018 harvest was already declared as Kranemann Vintage Port. The estate officially opened for wine tourism in 2023.

Vineyards, quintas and production

The main property covers around 150 hectares, including about 27 hectares of vines; a specialist source mentions roughly 30 additional hectares on neighbouring estates. Vineyards lie from 320 to 420 metres and mainly face north and north-east. Varieties include Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Viosinho and Rabigato. Ruby is aged in large casks, 10 Years Tawny spends an average of ten years in old wood, and Vintage Port is bottled after relatively short wood ageing for long bottle development.

Style and Port wines

Kranemann deliberately balances sweetness and fruit with the natural acidity of the cooler Távora terroir. The range includes Ruby, Ruby Reserve, LBV, Vintage, Tawny, 10, 20 and 30 Years Tawny and Colheita. The 2018 Vintage was produced in 3,215 bottles. Mature stocks already present in the cellars became an important basis for aged Tawny blends.

Significance and special features

Kranemann is a modern project on a very old Douro estate. The combination of monastic history, high-altitude vineyards, schist and granite soils and a deliberately fresher Port style distinguishes it from classic merchant houses. Since 2023 the estate has combined viticulture, historic architecture and wine tourism.

Key facts

  • Project launched in 2018.
  • Founder and owner: Christoph Kranemann.
  • Centre: Quinta do Convento de São Pedro das Águias.
  • Historical roots in the 12th century.
  • Around 150 ha total area and about 27 ha of vineyards.
  • Altitude 320–420 m.
  • Mainly north and north-east exposure.
  • Schist and granite soils.
  • Vintage 2018 declared.
  • Ruby, LBV, Vintage, Tawny and Colheita styles.
  • Mature cellar stocks used for aged Tawnies.
  • Wine tourism since 2023.

Sources

  • Kranemann Wine Estates – Terroir: https://kranemannestates.com/en/terroir
  • Kranemann Wine Estates – Port Wines: https://kranemannestates.com/en/port-wines
  • Kranemann Wine Estates – Wine Tourism / History: https://kranemannestates.com/en/kranemann-wine-estates-opens-quinta-do-convento-de-sao-pedro-das-aguias-for-wine-tourism
  • Kranemann Wine Estates – Vintage Port: https://kranemannestates.com/en/product/kranemann-vintage
  • Kranemann Wine Estates – 10 Years Tawny: https://kranemannestates.com/en/product/10-anos
  • Agroportal – Kranemann Wine Estates / Quinta do Convento: https://www.agroportal.pt/kranemann-wine-estates-o-renascer-da-quinta-do-convento-de-sao-pedro-das-aguias/