José Maria Da Fonseca Manor House - Winery

José Maria da Fonseca – A 19th Century Manor House

When you visit the house where José Maria da Fonseca was founded in 1834, you’ll get to know the essence of a Wine Family with almost 200 years of history, where the values passed down from generation to generation are kept alive while allowing the company to project itself into the 21st century.

Built in the nineteenth century, the house was restored in 1923 by the Swiss architect, Ernesto Korrodi, and was the Soares Franco family residence until the 1970s. With its particularly beautiful façade and gardens, it has always been associated with the image of José Maria da Fonseca.

The visit to the Museum House begins with a brief explanation of the company’s history, followed by a tour of the ancient wine cellars: Adega da Mata and Adega dos Teares Novos, where wines such as Periquita mature, and Adega dos Teares Velhos, where the oldest Setúbal Muscatels rest, some of which are true relics over 100 years old. At the end of the tour, the visitor can sample some of the wines produced by José Maria da Fonseca.

And because a visit to a wine producer with the size and history of José Maria da Fonseca would never be complete without a genuine tasting of the best of what has been produced here for almost two centuries, at the end of the tour, each visitor will have the chance to get to know better some of the wines that make José Maria da Fonseca the prestigious institution it is today, through a very special tasting. So don’t miss the opportunity to live a truly sensory experience that is certain to linger in your memory.

When you visit their Wine Shop, you’ll be spoilt for choice for that special occasion and you can complement the wine with regional gourmet products.

More than 500 Grape Varieties are Grown and Managed with Passion

As the oldest producer of table wines, José Maria da Fonseca Winery owns 650 hectares of vineyards from 5 different regions, where a large number of grape varieties are grown.

It is still unknown, but the wine making family actively cultivates nearly 500 varietals. Respecting biodiversity, the primary concern of the owners is the conservation of natural resources. Part of the grapes are still picked manually, followed by soft pressing. The company produces high-end red, white, rose, and sparkling wines using these grapes, combined with dessert and fortified wines.

José Maria da Fonseca’s portfolio comprises more than thirty brands of top quality wines from Portugal’s main wine growing regions.