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DOMINGOS SOARES FRANCO,<br />
THE WINEMAKER AT<br />
JOSÉ MARIA DA FONSECA<br />
The country has successfully bolstered its presence in long-standing markets like<br />
Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States, but has also diversified its<br />
import destinations. Present-day wineries have stepped up their communications<br />
activities in Asia – in countries like South Korea and China – where Portuguese<br />
wines are increasingly popular. We met five of the country’s wineries to find out<br />
how they view the changes and their strategies for maintaining and optimising their<br />
positioning in markets around the world.<br />
JOSÉ MARIA DA FONSECA, QUALITY FIRST<br />
José Maria da Fonseca’s vineyards are mainly located on Setúbal peninsula, along<br />
Portugal’s western coast, where the first vines were allegedly planted on the Iberian<br />
Peninsula. Although the winery does not date back to Antiquity, it nevertheless<br />
boasts a time-honoured tradition of winegrowing. Founded in 1834, it is one of the<br />
oldest producers still operating of the famous Moscatel de Setúbal, the region’s star<br />
pour which was already being exported in the 14th century – Richard II of England<br />
was very fond of it.<br />
Fast forward to 2023 and the heirs of the company’s founder – after whom the<br />
family-run firm is named – are continuing in his footsteps, honouring the winery’s<br />
reputation for excellence that has been garnered over its two-century history. It now<br />
boasts nearly 650 hectares under vine and state-of-the-art winemaking equipment<br />
on a par with the world’s top wineries. It has extended its portfolio of vineyard blocks<br />
on Setúbal peninsula but also acquired vineyards in Alentejo and the Douro.<br />
36 AUTUMN 2023 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE
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