Portuguese Wineries in North America

Portugal’s love affair with wine began around 2000 BC when the Tartessians began cultivating the first vineyards in Portugal. When the Roman empire reached into Portugal, they named the area Lusitania, after Lusus, the son of the RomaGod of wine Bacchus.

Portuguese wine has evolved through the centuries and no longer only recognized for it’s Port and Madeira and considered by specialists among the best in the world.

The upcoming Dia de Sao Martinho, (The Feast of St Martin) on November 11, is a major celebration in Portugal. It’s a celebration of the harvest-time, the time when newly-produced wine is ready for drinking!

Today, in North America, many Portuguese American winery and vineyard owners, are celebrating their heritage and their love of wine as their ancestors did. Here are a few of them below.

Morais Vineyards – Bealeton, VA

Morais Vineyards is a Farm Winery that has been offering great scenery, memorable experiences and a unique wine selection for several years; we have a little something for everyone. We craft elegant and powerful wines that reflect the place from which they originate. With a strong Portuguese influence in everything from our wines and architecture to our hospitality we are the perfect spot where you can enjoy a wine tasting and picnic with friends or hold your special event.

We dream it. We grow it. We create it. We respect those who have come before us and in their spirit we progress. We experiment and push the boundaries of tradition. We are family. We love what we do. We create a world class experience in a style recognized as our own. moraisvineyards.com.

 

 

 

A perfect destination wedding can be held at the spectacular venue . It’s also perfect for receptions, private parties, and corporate meetings, with capacity up to 500 guests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“To own and operate a winery has been a lifelong dream of mine. Keeping the traditions of wine making alive and passing my Portuguese heritage to my children and grandchildren brings me great joy. It is the sense of family and tradition that I would like to pass on to all of you.” José Morais

 

 

 

The winery offers a wide collection of wines. Some of which make their way into reserved cellars, and private libraries.
Touriga National, for example is a Portuguese grape variety vinified through traditional Portuguese techniques resulted in this full-bodied yet smooth red wine. It presents aromas of peach and apricot with a smoky scent which are present when tasted.

Wine tastings are offered from 12pm – 6pm every Saturday and Sunday in their Tasting Room.

11409 Marsh Road

Website: www.MoraisVineyards.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Morais.Vineyards

If you are interested in holding an event at Morais Vineyards or any other information regarding our facility, please contact our Venue Coordinator for more details.

Venue Coordinator: Nicole Warner

E-mail: moraisvineyards@aol.com

Gouveia Vineyards – Wallingford, Ct.

 

Gouveia Vineyards is located high atop 140 sun-kissed acres. Built of stone and old timbers. The Stone House winery and location command spectacular 360 degree panoramic views of lush woodland, open fields and over 32 acres of pristine vineyards. Bring food, family and friends to enjoy a glass of one of our 11 award winning wines. Picnic in the summer or cozy up to a warm fire in the winter. Come relax and savor the charming surroundings of Wallingford, CT.

Growing up in a Portuguese village, Joe Gouveia learned the importance of being a proactive member of society and the love of belonging to a community. Throughout his time in America, he noticed the enjoyment of work and the values of community were diminishing. He wanted to bring the value of a village to America, which inspired the idea of Gouveia Vineyards.

Joe Gouveia and his wife Lucy’s dream beautifully demonstrates the opportunity for a greater future. Through lives of hard work and being encouraged by their own hearts and passions, they were able to establish Gouveia Vineyards. From a vacant farm, the family planted a vineyard by hand and opened up a winery. Gouveiavineyards.com

“Adversity is a testament of God, but the confidence to believe in yourself defines the reason for living” Joe Gouveia

The Stone House winery and location command spectacular 360 degree panoramic views of lush woodland, open fields and over 32 acres of pristine vineyards.

 

 

Since 1999 when they first bought the property and the original vine was hand planted, the vineyard has continued to grow each year adhering to traditional skills of Portuguese wine making. Each vine is hand planted and hand pruned.

 

Gouveia Vineyards produces 90,000 bottles a year. Eleven different wines are produced including; 6 whites, 1 rosé, 3 reds, and 1 red dessert wine ranging from dry to sweet.

Wine Tastings

The friendly and knowledgeable staff will guide you through, as you enjoy the ambience of the Stone House.

Wine tastings are $8.00. You’ll sample 4 pre-selected wines and 1 of your choice from our wine list. Also included is our signature etched glass which is yours to keep.

Gouveia Vineyards
1339 Whirlwind Hill Road
Wallingford, CT 06492
Permit#LFW.0000055
203-265-5526

Website: www.gouveiavineyards.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/gouveiavineyards

 

Travessia Winery – New Bedford Massachusetts

TRAVESSIA – From Portuguese, meaning…

  A trip across a great distance of sea or land.
                            A passage… “the journey of life.”

Travessia is a micro-winery in downtown New Bedford, Massachusetts. Primarily using Massachusetts-grown grapes, Travessia makes wines, such as Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Vidal Blanc, and Pinot Noir.

“I began my journey in the world of wine as a kid living in a small village in the Tras-Os-Montes region of Portugal. Every September I would help my family and neighbors with the grape harvest. Wines were made in an artisan manner to be consumed by family and friends. Grape stomping with one’s feet was not a romantic or cool way to crush grapes, it was the only way” Marco Montez

 

Travessia wines are an authentic reflection of our local soils and micro-climate. We love to experiment and push the boundaries but our wines are also made with simplicity.

You can purchase Travessia wines directly from the winery through our very simple order form or by calling them directly at the winery.  Join their mailing list to receive a quarterly newsletter which includes updates on everything Travessia.

Travessia’s tasting and sales room is inside the winery in the heart of downtown New Bedford, Massachusetts.

Mention (Tia Maria’s Blog) for a FREE wine tasting in October 2013.

Currently, Travessia is open for tasting and sales Wednesday through Saturday from Noon to 6P.M. and Sunday from Noon to 5P.M. Please note for a tasting of our wines, you must arrive no later than 30 minutes before closing time. Also available by appointment. Groups of 10 or more please call at least 24 hours ahead… Tel.774-929-6534

Travessia Winery
760 Purchase Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
41.634668,-70.925881

Website: www.travessiawine.com/index.html

Facebook: www.facebook.com/travessia

 

 Coelho Winery – Amity, Oregon

Bem-vindo! The Coelho Family invites you to enjoy our finest Portuguese hospotality in our comfortable Amity, Oregan tasting room! Saove our award winning wines including our refreshing Estate Pinot Gris, enticing Estate Pinot noir, classic Estate chardannay, flirty Estate Pinot noir rose, elegant Estat Pinot noir, spicy Portuguguese varietals, sophisticaed Petite Sirah and our celebrated Port-Style desssert wines. coelhowinery.com

Coelho Winery

111 5TH Street P.O Box 618

Amity, Oregon 97101 USA

Phone (503) 835-9305

 

 

 

Morey Cellars – Napa, CA

The Portugal born, Morey family has been involved in wine making and grape growing for several centuries both in Europe and in the United States.

 P.O. Box 4261, Napa,

California 94558

(707) 225-4829

Leal Vineyards – Hollister California

Léal Vineyards is the creation of a self-taught wine fanatic. Owner Frank Léal is living his dream. His goal? To have fun, to reestablish San Benito County’s
historic reputation as a winegrowing region, and to consistently provide limited, exceptional vintages to his discerning fans. lealvineyards.com

Leal Vineyards Hollister CA

300 Maranatha Drive, Hollister, California

831.636.1023

Raymond Burr Vineyards – Geyserville California

Raymond Burr and Robert Benevides had met, as professional actors, in the middle 1950s on the television program which was to make a legend of Burr, “Perry Mason.” Motivated in the beginning by friendship, the Burr/Benevides relationship was bolstered and advanced by their individual interest in, and knowledge of, the cultivation and hybridization of orchids. In the next several years this shared hobby began to grow until the obvious resolution was to make it a commercial venture. And so, Sea God Nurseries was born, becoming in the 20-odd years of its life an international presence with ranges in Fiji, Hawaii, the Azores Islands and in Southern California.

Raymond Burr Winery

Sonoma CA,
Dry Creek Valley
8.5 miles outside Healdsburg at 8339 West Dry Creek Road

 

St, Jorge Winery – Acampo California

 

 

Our Portuguese family has been growing food and making wine for hundreds of years.  The family tree comes from the Azores Island of St. Jorge where my grandfather took pride in farming and producing wine.  The St. Jorge Wine embodies this custom and stays true to the culture.  Our wines follow Portuguese tradition with a slightly lighter color and full fruit flavor. stjorgewinery.com

St. Jorge
22769 North Bender Road
Acampo, California 95220
(209) 365-0202

 

 

Menarick Vineyard and Winery – Ronda, NC

 

MenaRick Vineyard and Winery is a family owned vineyard and winery located on over 33 acres nestled in the foothills of the Yadkin Valley. We are a unique Yadkin Valley vineyard and winery specializing in Spanish and Portuguese varietals. We currently have 8 acres of vines planted, including Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay, Albariño, Grenacha, Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and two fruit wines.  The MenaRick story started in 2006 with the purchase of the property in Ronda, NC—but our winemaking journeys started in California where Rick grew up and Mena in Portugal growing up around her family’s vineyards. menarick.com

MenaRrick Winery

328 Luffman Road
Ronda, NC 28670
(336) 328-7038