It all started in 1974 when João António Cerdeira planted a small plot of Alvarinho grapes on his land. This plot was called “Soalheiro”, which means “sunny”, in reference to its daily exposure to the sun. A few years later, João António transformed his passion into a small independent family production and officially launched the operation that would become the Soalheiro estate we know today: Alvarinho’s first brand in Melgaço.

Today, it is the third generation that carries the torch; Maria João and António Luís, accompanied by the innovative know-how of their mother Maria Palmira Cerdeira. António Luís has a degree in oenology and has acquired in-depth knowledge of the Alvarinho grape variety, while Maria João, a veterinarian by profession, has in recent years successfully introduced organic farming in the vineyard. Thanks to their determination and the hard work of their team, their commitment to a quality product, a little creativity and a respect for everything around them, they have managed to make wines that reflect their passion and the expertise of the family estate.