Sandra Tavares da Silva – The New Winemaker of Douro

The journey of Sandra Tavares da Silva to become one of the notable winemakers in Douro was not a straight path. Born as the daughter of a Portuguese naval officer and his Swiss wife on the Azores, she moved early on to Lisbon, where her parents worked towards their dream of a wine estate. In 1987, they purchased the Quinta de Chocapalha, a 16th-century estate located around 50 kilometers northwest of Lisbon.

From Model to Winemaker

Despite her parents' efforts to involve all three daughters in the work on the estate, the youngest, Sandra, initially pursued another career path: she played volleyball for the Portuguese national team and became a highly sought-after model. It wasn't an easy transition when she ultimately decided to embrace winemaking. After studying agricultural sciences in Lisbon, she moved to Italy and earned her Master in Oenology at the Catholic University of Piacenza near Milan.

Cristiano van Zeller as a Mentor

When Sandra moved to Douro in 1999 to immerse herself in winemaking, many dismissed her due to her modeling background. However, her mentor Cristiano van Zeller from Quinta Vale D. Maria offered her an opportunity in the industry after several rejections by other wineries who doubted that an ex-model could work hard.

Strong Work Ethic and Discipline

Sandra Tavares da Silva proved them wrong. With a strong work ethic and determination, she crafted her first promising vintage at Vale Dona Maria. Shortly after, at her parents' request, she returned to the Quinta de Chocapalha in the Estremadura. While there, she advised her parents not only to sell the red grape harvest, which thrived on clay soil, to neighboring vintners but also to produce wine themselves.

First Successes in Winemaking

Now, as the chief oenologist at Quinta de Chocapalha, Sandra Tavares da Silva leaves her distinctive mark wherever she goes. Alongside her husband Jorge Serôdio Borges, she also owns Wine & Soul in Douro and Quinta da Manoella in the Pinhão Valley. In these three terroirs, she has learned that the region infuses each wine with its unique flair. “The Touriga Nacional grape produces robust, fruity wine in Douro, while in Lisbon it yields a floral, fresh wine,” she explains. Same grape, same winemaker, yet different terroir defines the character of her wines—a central theme in Sandra's winemaking philosophy.

Sandra's Wine Adventure “Wine & Soul”

When Sandra and her husband launched their own wine in 2001, they had only the vision of creating perfect wines. They named their company “Wine & Soul” to express the passion they invested in producing high-quality wines. Perfectionist Sandra focused on bringing elegance, while Jorge cared for the fruitiness and robust aromas.

“Pintas” – Showcasing the Best of Douro

Their first garage wine, “Pintas,” was made from grapes from an ancient vineyard in Douro in 2001, consisting of over thirty indigenous grape varieties—ideal for their initial attempt. “We aimed to create a full-bodied, character-rich wine that reflects the beauty of Douro Valley,” Sandra recalls. For her, “Pintas” embodies the best aspects of Douro: lush fruit, strong character, and a harmonious finish.

Remarkable Wines from Ancient Vines in Pinhão Valley

What began with Pintas has evolved into 22 hectares of vineyards, with 16 hectares belonging to the Quinta da Manoella in Pinhão, inherited in 2009. There, the predominantly ancient vineyards face south, some over a hundred years old. “The first wine from Quinta da Manoella, the 'Vinhas Velhas', quickly became one of the most distinguished wines from Douro,” states Sandra Tavares da Silva.

The Terroir Gives Wine Its Unique Identity

In wine production, Sandra Tavares da Silva respects traditions while incorporating modern technologies to enhance the terroir’s essence, providing her wines with a distinct identity. Each wine is linked to a specific vineyard, ensuring its identity remains intact while quality continues to improve.

Wine as the Result of Various Details

“Wine is the product of many details,” explains Sandra Tavares da Silva. The process of winemaking begins long before grape harvest and follows her meticulous guidelines. A perfectionist at heart, she emphasizes every detail from vineyard management to label quality. “By reducing errors at every stage, we can ensure the high quality we aspire to maintain,” she insists.