Collection: Encosta da Capela

It all began over 40 years ago in Melgaço, when our family began planting the Alvarinho grape variety on land that, until then, had mostly only been used for the production of corn and wine.

Since then, realizing the economic importance of the Alvarinho grape variety and the quality of the family land, year after year, one or two more plots of vineyard were planted. And so, over the decades, the family plantation grew to over 30 plots, up to the current 5ha. It evolved in the systems of training the vineyard and in the development of production techniques.

In 2012, while still working in Business Management (his area of training), José Manuel Fernandes, the eldest son of the family, recognised the quality of the grapes produced and immediately identified a business opportunity. In this context, he began winemaking in 2015, in his own facilities under the brand “Encosta da Capela”.

The name “Encosta da Capela” arises from the homage paid to the Chapel adjacent to the winery and which belonged to the family in previous generations, as well as the land surrounding it which, being characterised by hillside vineyards, naturally came to be known as “campos da capela”.

This tribute also extends to the Master who built the Chapel, at the time also living in this place of Regueiro, and to whom we also owe the contribution in the construction of the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Peneda (inserted in the Peneda-Gerês National Park), as well as other works spread throughout the municipality of Melgaço.