the first efforts to have the dão region recognized as a separate and unique wine region came mainly from the aristocrat and winemaker joão de sacadura botte côrte-real. considered to be "the most enlightened viticulturist of his generation", he modernized the processes of winemaking and raised the standards of the wine produced in the region. he had many wine estates, in both portugal and spain, but the most celebrated were his quinta da aguieira and his wife's quinta da bica.