The production of wines is a family tradition for Domingos Alves de Sousa: his father (Edmundo Alves de Sousa) and grandfather (Domingos Alves de Sousa) had already been winegrowers in the Douro. Contrarily to what it would be expected, Domingos Alves de Sousa held another career at the beginning of his professional activity. But after having his degree in Civil Engineering, he couldn’t resist any longer to the double appeal (of the land and the blood), and abandoned its activity in 1987 to dedicate himself in exclusive to the exploration of the “Quintas” (estates) he received from his family inheritance and to other properties later acquired, where he executed a precise work of gathering and reorganization of the vines.

For many years he supplied some of the most famous and prestigious Port companies like Ferreira and Borges Wines.

Concluded some experiences with different grape varieties, it was selected the ones that revealed to be more appropriable to produce the best wines of D.O.C. Douro, and with them it was produced and launched in the market, in middle of 1992, that it would be its first wine: Quinta do Vale da Raposa white 1991.

Soon it had the attention of wine lovers and it deserved the best references. It was the beginning of a trail filled of successes that came until the present days, and still with much to give.

The quality and singularity of the Alves de Sousa family’s wines have been widely recognized with awards and mentions in the most acclaimed national and international publications:

• Over 100 medals (including 40 Gold medals) in international wine competitions in 7 different countries. To notice over 17 Gold Medals won by Alves de Sousa Port Wines in the last years that prove the value of Alves de Sousa not only as a Douro wine produceer but also as a great Port wine producer.

• In the “Revue de Vin de France”, then-world champion sommelier Olivier Poussier gives one of the only two top notes on a foreign wine tasting to Quinta da Gaivosa, and writes that the Gaivosa is to the Douro as the “Cheval Blanc” (One of the most exclusive and renowned wines in the world) is to Bordeaux.

• “their line-up included some of the most enjoyable wines I reviewed” The respected American publication Robert Parker’s “The Wine Advocate”, in its first major article about Portuguese wines, when referring to the Alves de Sousa wines. Translation: 14 wines rated between 90 and 96 points since then, scores reserved only to the best wines in the world.

• In one of the last great Portuguese wine tastes from the respected British critic Jancis Robinson, among 122 proven Portuguese wines, only 4 reached 18 points (scale from 1 to 20), two of which … were from the Alves de Sousa family.

• The same author together with Hugh Johnson in the international bestseller “World Atlas of Wine” divides the Douro into 3 great styles – one of them is “the solidity of the schist of the Gaivosas.”

  In recent years the Alves de Sousa family has been part of the small group of 4 to 5 Portuguese companies (including the main Port Wine Houses) invited to participate in the prestigious “Decanter Fine Wine Encounter” in London.

  The international prestige won also had a very special parallel in Portugal, with the “Producer of the Year” awards in 1999 and again in 2006 attributed by “Revista de Vinhos”, becoming the first producer in history to receive twice the most important and prestigious distinction for a Portuguese Wine Producer.

It is in Douro that the Alves de Sousa family produces their wines, according to a family tradition of 5 generations.

Working only the grapes of the family vineyards (Quinta da Gaivosa, Vale da Raposa, Caldas, Estação, Aveleira and Oliveirinha), we developed a complete range of Douro wines of great character and quality.

Few are the places in the world that mirror as well as the Douro the admirable deeds that can come from the effort and dedication of Man.

The weight of such a work falls upon us today. As such, a working group was convened with the scientific, technical training and commitment required to continuously pursue a single objective – the search for the best expression of the character of the vine in the form of a wine.

THE MARKET

From the beginning, Domingos Alves de Sousa saw Portugal as one of the many markets in which he wanted to be present. Today, export accounts for 75% of the company’s sales with a portfolio of more than 300 customers spread across 28 different countries:

These are the results of an intense and constant commercial and promotional work, with a great financial and human investment.

 

More than 30 annual trips to the most diverse countries are added to the many actions that take place in mainland Portugal, the Azores and Madeira.

From the Douro visits with clients, journalists, professionals and enophiles from the four corners of the world, the “Master Classes” in places as different as the University of Cambridge, Moscow or Macau. From the participation in fairs in Germany, Canada, China, France, England, to the many events held a little around the world (Hong Kong, London, New York, Los Angeles, Madrid, Oslo, Stockholm …). From wine dinners in many of the best national restaurants, to events and presence in the charts of some of the most prestigious international restaurants. From visits to customers scattered around the world to the constant exploration of new markets.

In the coming years, alongside the strengthening of positions in the various markets, it is intended to increase coverage in Asia, Africa and South America.

We are proud to have Alves de Sousa as winners on our AIN Wine Challenge 2018 Competition! We congratulate them once again and wish them good luck!

Importers, Distributors and Professional Buyers, we invite you discover and buy some amazing DOURO & PORT of wines from Alves de Sousa!

Contact ALVES DE SOUSA HERE!