Quinta de Soalheiro

In 1974, João António Cerdeira broke from the traditional Minho practice of intercropping by planting the first continuous Alvarinho vineyard in Melgaço. This single decision set the course for an entire regional transformation. The estate launched its first branded Alvarinho wine in 1982, establishing Melgaço as a serious fine wine address within the Vinho Verde DOP. Today the winery is run by the third generation, grandchildren María João and António Luís, who have continued pushing boundaries while honoring the estate's founding principles.

• 1974: first continuous Alvarinho vineyard planted in Melgaço by João António Cerdeira
• 1982: first branded Alvarinho wine from Melgaço released under the Soalheiro label
• 1995: first 100% Alvarinho sparkling wine made using the traditional method
• 2019: established Innovation Center with IDI certification, the first of its kind in Portugal

Soalheiro farms 14 hectares of estate vineyards in the Monção e Melgaço subregion of Vinho Verde, with elevations ranging from 100 to 200 meters in the valley floors and reaching up to 1,100 meters in its highest-altitude plantings. Those high-elevation sites are the tallest Alvarinho vineyards in Portugal, planted deliberately to adapt to climate warming. Soils are granitic with schist components. The Atlantic temperate microclimate carries continental influence, featuring cold and rainy winters followed by hot and dry summers, with mountain ranges shielding the vineyards from direct Atlantic exposure. The estate has held organic certification since 2006 and is transitioning to biodynamic farming.

• 14 hectares of estate vines plus fruit sourced from 150+ local family producers
• Granitic soils with schist components across valley and high-altitude sites
• Alvarinho is the flagship variety; estate also grows Loureiro, Vinhão, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Alvarelhão
• Certified organic viticulture since 2006; biodynamic transition underway

Soalheiro produces dry, mineral white wines with Alvarinho as the cornerstone variety. The portfolio spans multiple tiers, including the entry-level Alvarinho Clássico, the Primeiras Vinhas bottling sourced from the original 1974 plantings, and the Granit Alvarinho. Beyond still whites, the estate produces rosé, sparkling wines made by the traditional method, red wines, natural wines, and orange wines. Reserve bottlings have demonstrated aging potential of more than 20 years, a claim supported by critical acclaim for the 2015 vintage. The winery regularly earns scores of 93 to 96 points from major critics, cementing its position as Portugal's most acclaimed white wine producer.

• Signature wines: Alvarinho Clássico, Primeiras Vinhas (from 1974 plantings), Granit Alvarinho
• Sparkling Alvarinho made by the traditional method since 1995
• Reserve bottlings have 20+ year aging potential
• Fourth largest Alvarinho producer in the Monção e Melgaço subregion

Soalheiro's influence on Vinho Verde extends far beyond its own production. By treating Alvarinho as a fine wine grape from the start, the estate helped shift regional perception away from bulk commodity production. The 2019 establishment of an IDI-certified Innovation Center, the first in Portugal, signals that the third generation intends to keep pushing quality and research forward. The estate also offers a comprehensive wine tourism experience, including tastings, an herbal tea garden, and gastronomic dining.

• Pioneer in repositioning Vinho Verde as a fine wine category internationally
• First IDI-certified Innovation Center in Portugal, established 2019
• Comprehensive wine tourism experience on the estate
• World's Best Vineyards 2023 ranking (#64) reflects global critical recognition