“Pacheca” was the nickname affectionately given to Dona Mariana, a strong-willed woman and the original owner of this emblematic estate, first cultivated in 1738—twenty years before the Marquis of Pombal officially demarcated the Douro region. Quinta da Pacheca now spans 75 hectares of steep, terraced vineyards on the south bank of the Douro River, near the village of Cambres. The Serpa Pimentel family has managed the estate since 1977, a landmark vintage and pivotal year when they became one of the first families to bottle and sell their own wine under a private label. Their dedication to showcasing the unique qualities of their terroir helped position Pacheca as one of the leading estates in the Cima Corgo subregion. Today, this family-run quinta is recognized as one of the founding houses of the Douro. In 2022, Quinta da Pacheca was named one of the world’s 100 best wineries.