From Vision to Reality: the Story of Casa Abrantes Pais
At Casa Abrantes Pais, we embrace the legacy of our family’s winemaking heritage, crafting wines that pay tribute to the past while embracing modern innovation. Our vineyards, home to vinhas velhas — vines over 200 years old — are planted with the iconic grape varieties of the Beira Alta region: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Alfrocheiro, and Jaen. These ancient vines produce grapes of exceptional character, forming the heart of our wines.
Born in Vilar Sêco in 1957, António Andrade (P. Eng.) descends from a family on his mother’s side that has been traditionally involved in agriculture, particularly winemaking. His maternal great-grandfather was the owner of an extensive number of agricultural properties. Although he was a primary school teacher, he always maintained his agricultural estate with great passion and dedication to viticulture. As such, all the properties still owned by the family date back at least 200 years, though it is believed they are much older.
However, it was his maternal grandfather, Francisco de Abrantes Pais, a man of great vision and initiative, and also a descendant of a prominent landowner in Vilar Sêco, who truly advanced the production of the family’s agricultural estate. From a young age, he broadened horizons with great determination and vision, striving to grow his assets and provide better living conditions for his family and descendants.
Unfortunately, he passed away young, at the age of 50, leaving the full responsibility for the estate’s production to his wife, Maria Pereira de Andrade. A woman of great character, firmness, and wisdom, Maria Pereira de Andrade managed to maintain the estate daily until the end of her life on November 2, 1964. She devoted herself selflessly to this difficult task with the greatest effort and sacrifice, earning recognition and respect from all. During the 1980s and 1990s, agricultural activity ceased, and the family stepped away from this tradition.
Although António Andrade pursued his education and professional career outside Vilar Sêco, he always cherished the place and frequently returned, eventually restoring the legacy built by his ancestors. This ongoing effort has now gained the contribution, interest, and enthusiasm of his son, António Francisco Kam da Silva Andrade (P. Eng.), with the establishment of Enovilar, a company dedicated to wine production and commercialization. Enovilar focuses on producing and commercializing high-quality Reserva and Premium wines, crafted from the traditional grape varieties of the Dão region and the family’s old vines.
The future is thus well-defined and firmly rooted in the past, with the memory preserved and the path traveled to this day serving as a strong foundation. This continuity is a source of pride and will remain so for many generations to come.
Using the matured traditional method, we carefully preserve the unique essence of our grapes. This approach brings out the finest qualities of the grapes and reflects the deep sentimental connection of the Andrade family to their roots. Tasting Casa Abrantes Pais is more than savoring a fine wine; it’s an invitation to connect with over two centuries of dedication, passion, and respect for the land and its history.
Every bottle is a labor of love, carrying the story of our vinhas velhas and the family legacy they represent. Casa Abrantes Pais is more than a wine — it’s a journey through time, a celebration of heritage, and a poetic companion to life’s most cherished moments.
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