Vieira de Sousa
A beautiful, vibrant, family-oriented and promising Port house
Vieira de Sousa is a young house built on the know-how of 5 generations.
In fact, the Vieira de Souza family, produce wines with only grapres from their vineyard, aged and sold wines. It was not until the middle of the 20th century that José Ermelindo Vieira de Souza first marketed wines under the name “Vieira de Souza“. Alas, this activity was not pursued, preferring to devote 100% to its sales activity, wine in barrels, the great houses of Porto.
In 2007 the family decided to relaunch the brand using only grapes from family vineyards. In 2009 they bottled their first vintage under their name. In 2017 Vieira de Sousa House celebrated its tenth anniversary.
Currently Vieira de Sousa covers more than 60 hectares, divided into four Quinta (vineyards) : Quinta da Agua Alta, Quinta do Fojo Velho, Quinta do Roncão and Quinta da Fonte. The house produces 8 different still wines from the Douro and 11 different Port wines. The strength of this house? Possess very old Port wines still in barrels and produce still wines nicely balanced, precise, modern and elegant.
Let’s go together to meet Luisa Vieira de Sousa Borges, co-owner, winemaker and oenologist.
Why did you choose to work in the world of wine? To become a winegrower?
“First and foremost I wanted to work outdoors. Although I did not need to work for the family, I wanted to come back to live here, to the countryside and work in the vineyards. There is a certain link that binds us to this port house. So I went to Lisbon to study oenology and viticulture then I went to work for different places to come back to work here. in winemaking.”
What is Porto for you?
“It means something about my life, I’ve been living with Port Wine since the beginning, since I was a girl.I used to drink a bit so it’s … I grew up with wine and it’s a tradition, and it’s hope for the future, innovation too, I hope in the future.”
What is the Vieira de Sousa wine signature? What makes it possible to recognize them in tasting?
“First of all, the mouth. Our style is more and more dry than other port. There is also a nice acidity that brings crunch on the finish.
Looking at our still wines I would say that they are elegant, not over-extracted and well balanced. ”
If you had to describe the Vieira de Sousa spirit in 3 or 4 words, what would you say?
“I would say: tradition, family, good times, and young generation.” “There is currently a new generation of winemakers working to rejuvenate the image of Port wines.”
Do you have an anecdote about the property?
“My dad has a story he likes to tell. He had an old Italian friend who traveled to the property with his dream to swim in a barrel of port. He climbed right into a barrel of port wine. Well, I reassure you after the port contained in the barrel was not used for the assembly of our wines. ”
Thanks to Luisa Borges and Maria Borges for their warm welcome.
Choukroun Chicheportiche Jonathan
Vieira de Sousa
Casa da Capela,
5060-013 Celeirós do Douro
+351 917 849 585
www.vieiradesousa.com
