In the center of Portugal, in the Bairrada region, the Caves São João (The São João Cellars) rely on a secular history. In the small town of Anadia this is the oldest family business still in activity. Over the past 100 years, they have produced numerous nationally and internationally awarded wines. Founded in 1920, by three brothers (José, Manuel, and Albano Costa), they began with fine wines from the Douro and liquors and then moved onto the Bairrada table wines, and later on to the production of natural sparkling wines.
As part of their portfolio they have some of the best known brands in the Bairrada region, which is the case for the “Frei João” wine. Later they were also famous for other brands from the demarcated region of the Dão: the “Porta dos Cavaleiros” and “Cantanhede” and also their well-known “Quinta do Poço do Lobo” wines. Some of them have earned gold medals in competitions.
At the Caves São João, production has vanguardist or modern techniques for winemaking and quality control, but they also don’t forget the traditional production methods. They still use natural cork coated paper labels which are still manually applied on the bottles and are one of the brand images of this producer. Ensuring modern and tradition go hand in hand! They offer a series of wine tastings with a visit of the cellars as well as the possibility to also have lunch or dinner at their premises which includes the typical Bairrada roasted piglet.
