Terras do Avô Wines
Monica Tindall
In the scenic landscapes of Seixal, Madeira, we meet the Caldeira family and discover the beautiful story and wines behind Terras do Avô. Established in 2008 by Duarte Caldeira and his children, Sofia, Filipa, and Duarte, the winery embodies a profound connection to the land and an unwavering commitment to crafting exceptional wines. The winery honours the grandfather who left the land as an inheritance, with the name translating to “Grandfather’s Land.”
Stretching across 3.5 hectares of awe-inspiring vineyards, Terras do Avô presents a captivating tapestry of terroir diversity. With 32 distinct plots, ranging from steep slopes to coastal areas, each exudes a unique character that enriches the complexity and depth found within Terras do Avô wines. Needless to say, with such diverse terrain, only manual labour can be used to tend to and harvest the vines.
Father and daughter team, Duarte and Sofia are the faces of the winery. We hear the siblings are very talented in other fields, including drinking the wine, but is daddy and daughter who lead the production.
The carefully curated wine portfolio of Terras do Avô reflects the region’s essence with science and artistry. Two white wines take centre stage among their offerings, showcasing the gentle influence of the coastal breeze and minerality. Verdelho grapes reign supreme, harmonising with the unique terroir. Meanwhile, the red wines, skillfully blended with Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Syrah, are surprising with their depth, complexity, and unmistakable personality. Their Colheita range offers an entry point to the portfolio, while the esteemed Grande Escolha wines are reserved for extraordinary harvest years.
Table wines in Madeira are already remarkable for the island, only first coming to the market in 1992. However, Sofia and Duarte strive for the extraordinary in their limited production of sparkling wine beginning in 2016. Sparkling wines are the company’s shining stars, and they are the proud pioneers in Madeira.
The first label commemorates Mr and Mrs Caldeira’s 50th wedding anniversary, and other vintages were named to honour each child when they reached half a century. They specialize in crafting dry Verdelho and Seicial varieties using the classic Champenoise method. Additionally, they released an edition to honour their father’s 80th birthday. Every step of the process is meticulously carried out by hand, and most editions have less than 500 bottles in production!
Beyond the wine production, Terras do Avô embraces the world of artistry with curious labels by local artist Marco Fagundes Vasconcelos. Love them or not, each label is an unforgettable visual experience, ensuring they stick in the minds of wine enthusiasts.
Guests can experience the warm hospitality of Sofia and Duarte at Terras do Avô with advance reservations and a minimum of ten guests. Otherwise, you may be included in a pre-arranged Wednesday or Friday session if there are seats available (book ahead!). Tastings include a variety of homemade snacks lovingly prepared by Sofia, and guests can see the stunning vineyards leading down to the sea on-site.
Terras do Avô
Sociedade Duarte Caldeira e Filhos – Seixal Wines, Lda.
Sede: Sitio do Lombinho – Seixal, 9 270 – 125 Porto Moniz, Madeira
+351 964 008 001 (Sofia Caldeira) – Link to Google Map
[email protected]
www.facebook.com/terras.avo
www.facebook.com/vinhostranquilosdamadeira
Find more recommendations for gourmet travel in Portugal here and stay up-to-date with our latest international finds here and here.
Awesome landscape especially that last pic.