Near Quinta do Ata?de, the fault reaches its widest point in what is known as the Vilari?a basin, flanked by two granite escarpments which help to define its micro-climate. The land is softly undulating in contrast to the steep sides of the main Douro valley. The parting of the Iberian tectonic plates in ancient times, with the subsequent formation of a lake, created conditions where the traditional granite and schist of the Douro valley are supplemented by an alluvial topsoil component, creating unique conditions for viticulture and a specific terroir not found elsewhere in the Douro region.
