Sorry, but you need to update your browser to use our website.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thanks for your patience.

To place a phone order:
UK: 028 4483 0091
ROI: 1890 66 77 99

Customer Support: shop@jnwine.com

Thank you
The JN Wine Team

UK  028 4483 0091
ROI  0818 66 77 99
 
FREE DELIVERY NI & ROI  (for 12x75cl or more)
Delivery Location
Image of Soalheiro

Soalheiro

It all started in 1974, when João António Cerdeira planted a small parcel of Alvarinho grapes. This parcel was called ’Soalheiro’, meaning ‘sunny’, referring to its location, exposed to sun all day long. Soon after, in 1982, João António turned his passion into a small independent family production. He took the red Ford Escort out of his garage, replacing it with the tools he needed to turn grape must into wine. With this, he officially started the operation that would become the Soalheiro we know today: the first brand of Alvarinho in Melgaço. 

It was from this first Alvarinho plot that “Primeiras Vinhas” was born, a wine that carries the passion they have for their first vines and the commitment to the preservation of old vines.

Image of the Cerdeira family

As far as memory goes, Alvarinho was always present in this territory, where grapevines were traditionally planted around the outskirts of a parcel. João António was the first to break from this tradition and planted a full parcel as a continuous vineyard of Alvarinho. Since this first innovation the family has been linked to the development of Alvarinho cultivation in Melgaço.

Today the third generation family members continue to embrace this spirit of innovation.

António Luís, with a graduate degree in oenology, has built a profound knowledge of the Alvarinho grape variety throughout his life.

Maria João, a veterinarian by profession, assumed the responsibility for viticulture and successfully introduced organic farming into our vineyards.

In the Vineyard
The elasticity of Alvarinho and the diversity of the Territory inspired Soalheiro to start exploring high altitude vineyards. Located at heights above 400 meters, these vines produce wines with much more mineral qualities than our ‘classic’ wines from the valley. In 2015 they released Granit, a mineral expression of Alvarinho sourced from high altitude vineyards. The wine’s success encouraged them to continue experimenting with high altitude Alvarinho, leading them to plant the highest altitude Alvarinho vineyards in Portugal. With the ever-present threat of climate change, it is important to study extreme situations in order to build knowledge and develop solutions. These experiments prepare Soalheiro for the future and ensure that the tradition of winemaking in this Territory will continue.

In the Vineyard

The elasticity of Alvarinho and the diversity of the Territory inspired Soalheiro to start exploring high altitude vineyards. Located at heights above 400 meters, these vines produce wines with much more mineral qualities than our ‘classic’ wines from the valley.

In 2015 they released Granit, a mineral expression of Alvarinho sourced from high altitude vineyards. The wine’s success encouraged them to continue experimenting with high altitude Alvarinho, leading them to plant the highest altitude Alvarinho vineyards in Portugal.

With the ever-present threat of climate change, it is important to study extreme situations in order to build knowledge and develop solutions.

These experiments prepare Soalheiro for the future and ensure that the tradition of winemaking in this Territory will continue.

 
Image of Soalheiro vineyards
Image of foot treading in Soalheiro winery

In the Winery

Soalheiro has been evolving steadily. The recently refurbished winery creates a space that optimises its winemaking capacity, with specific sections dedicated to fermentation and ageing, maintaining ideal conditions for the wines to express their unique character. Every tiny, but essential, detail is carefully considered in order to ensure consistent quality. The winery is a space that functionally respects winegrowing and winemaking traditions while opening its doors to new and creative styles of wine production. One of the most important features is a special place for innovation where the team and winemaker can discover new wines and processes. 

Alvarinho is the heart and soul of the Soalheiro operation and the centre of their wines. Through different labels, their goal is to express the varietal’s many personalities. They organize the diverse range of wines into several families: fruity, mineral, natural, sparkling, and a special category called ‘Innovation and Partnership’. This last category is where the Soalheiro team, their oenologist, and local creative partners work together with only one objective: to grow their wine knowledge. In this family, they organise the wines that are the result of the experiments and partnerships. In each wine, they explain the philosophy and the concept.

Browse the Soalheiro Range → 

 

Image of Soalheiro logo

 

Get the latest news & offers

Newsletter Sign Up

Stay up to date with JN Wine's products, articles, offers and events via our occasional bulletins

You can unsubscribe at any time. By subscribing you agree that we may process your information in accordance to our privacy policy.

Where would you like us to deliver your wine?

JN Wine delivers throughout Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Delivery to the Rest of the World is by special arrangement only - please contact us for details.
Deliveries to Great Britain and Northern Ireland are charged in Sterling (£) and UK Duty and VAT rates apply.

Deliveries to the Republic of Ireland are charged in Euros (€) and ROI Duty and VAT rates apply.

Please see here for more details.

Change of Delivery location warning