Alto Douro Wine Region Quintas [Villas Estates] as inseparable elements in the construction of its landscape heritage

Quintas, or villas estates, in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Alto Douro Wine Region are critical to preserving the region's cultural memory and identity. These units of settlement, agricultural exploitation, and social power contain a rich heritage that, if ignored, risks abandonment or destruction. Despite contemporary demands leading some quintas to reinvent themselves by blending tradition with innovation, their intrinsic value remains underexplored. This study identifies, qualifies, and disseminates the architectural and landscape values of these quintas, focusing on spatial, formal, ornamental, and recreational characteristics. By (re)discovering these elements, strategic solutions for safeguarding this heritage can be envisioned.

Frutuoso, V., & Pires, A. G. (2021). Alto Douro Wine Region Quintas [Villas Estates] as inseparable elements in the construction of its landscape heritage. Tradition and Innovation, 265–270. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429297786-39