José Maria da Fonseca – A Historic 19th Century Manor House

Visiting the José Maria da Fonseca Manor House, established in 1834, offers a glimpse into a family legacy that spans nearly 200 years. This historic site embodies the values and traditions that have been cherished and passed down through generations, while also adapting to modern winemaking practices.

Originally built in the 19th century, the manor was beautifully restored in 1923 by Swiss architect Ernesto Korrodi. It served as the residence of the Soares Franco family until the 1970s. The stunning façade and lush gardens have long been synonymous with the José Maria da Fonseca brand.

Your visit begins with an overview of the winery's rich history, followed by a tour of the ancient wine cellars: Adega da Mata and Adega dos Teares Novos, where the renowned Periquita wine matures, and Adega dos Teares Velhos, home to some of the oldest Setúbal Muscatels, some over a century old. The tour concludes with a tasting of select wines, allowing you to appreciate the craftsmanship that has made José Maria da Fonseca a respected name in the wine industry.

A visit to the winery is incomplete without sampling the exceptional wines produced here for nearly two centuries. Each guest has the opportunity to taste a selection of wines that highlight the winery's esteemed reputation, creating a memorable sensory experience.

In the Wine Shop, you will find a wide array of wines perfect for any occasion, complemented by regional gourmet products to enhance your experience.

Passion for Grape Varieties and Sustainable Practices

As Portugal's oldest table wine producer, José Maria da Fonseca manages 650 hectares of vineyards across five distinct regions, cultivating nearly 500 grape varieties. The winery prioritizes biodiversity and the conservation of natural resources, with many grapes still harvested by hand and gently pressed.

The winery produces a diverse range of high-quality red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines, along with dessert and fortified wines. With over thirty brands in its portfolio, José Maria da Fonseca showcases the best of Portugal's wine-growing regions, making it a must-visit destination for wine enthusiasts.

Experiences to book at José Maria Da Fonseca Manor House & Museum

Top reviews

Didier Launay
September 10, 2023
A very nice 45-minute tour of this area. The young girl who led the tour is very professional, knows her subject well. At the end of the tour, tasting of a Moscatel and a red. Both excellent. Direct sales, the prices are very reasonable. To recommend! Thanks again to the whole team for their kindness!
Stephane R.
September 7, 2024
Very interesting history since the beginning in 1834 , for this well known wine and moscatel producer .The big tree inside the residence is here from… 1834 too..Organised tasting events..to discover the different types of wine and muscats. Located in the small village of Azeitaos.

Location

Location Rua José Augusto Coelho N.11/13, Azeitão, 2925-242, Setúbal, Portugal

Spoken Languages

Services

Reduced Mobility Access
Restaurant

Visiting Hours

Monday - Sunday
10:00 - 12:00, 14:30 - 17:30

Wine types

Red Wine
White Wine
Rose Wine
Sparkling Wine
Sweet Wine
Fortified Wine
Spirits

Grape varieties

We began more than six generations ago
back in 1834
with the irreverent and daring act of our founder José Maria da Fonseca. For some
it was a rash gesture; for us
in the family
it was the step of a visionary. Families are like that; they exist to believe in us.

Our wines

White Wine 

Albis
José Maria Da Fonseca Manor House & Museum

Discover a Century-Old Portuguese Wines Produced from 650 Hectares of Vineyards

Red Wine 

Casa Portuguesa Red
José Maria Da Fonseca Manor House & Museum

Discover a Century-Old Portuguese Wines Produced from 650 Hectares of Vineyards

White Wine 

Casa Portuguesa White
José Maria Da Fonseca Manor House & Museum

Discover a Century-Old Portuguese Wines Produced from 650 Hectares of Vineyards

Red Wine 

JMF
José Maria Da Fonseca Manor House & Museum

Discover a Century-Old Portuguese Wines Produced from 650 Hectares of Vineyards

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Visitor reviews

What our community thinks about José Maria Da Fonseca Manor House & Museum

Check out verified reviews from visitors who've enjoyed their time at José Maria Da Fonseca Manor House & Museum.

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Reviews (29)

Isabel Francisco
Reviewed on January 26, 2025

fantastic visit with friends the restaurant was also a good surprise I recommend visiting the house museum and the wine cellars as well as the restaurant

Review provided by Google

Amanda Dornelas
Reviewed on January 6, 2025

We were very well looked after, both in terms of service and in scheduling the visit via WhatsApp, made by Leonor. And especially by the guide, Matilde, an excellent connoisseur of wines and history, she was very open to questions and was wonderful, she explained everything very well and was very attentive from start to finish. The visit is enriching, and all the environments are beautiful. It is totally worth it. I recommend it with my eyes closed. A thousand points.

Review provided by Google

Luiz Henrique Santana
Reviewed on December 30, 2024

We've really enjoyed our visit to the Casa Museu José Maria da Fonseca in Azeitão, Portugal. We booked a family visit and the staff was nice and gentle to engage the kids with questions during the tour and even provided some pencils and cryons so that they could do some colouring during the wine tasting. Regarding the visit itself, what a marvelous experience! We were guided through the gardens, the cellars, we could learn more about the history of the brand, the vision of the founder, the innovation (the first bottled wine in Portugal - Periquita) and much more. We definitely recommed it!

Review provided by Google

Dario Ribeiro
Reviewed on October 17, 2024

I visited the Mata (Periquita Wine) and Teares Velhos (Moscatel de Setúbal) wine cellars. The smell of wine is irresistible, the whole town smells of wine. They are damp and dark environments. In the Teares Velhos wine cellar there is another room that has been transformed into an event hall, among the oak barrels, you can have an incredible experience of dining by candlelight. Simply captivating and engaging. All of Azeitão is surrounded by the winery. The whole town is touristy.

Review provided by Google

Mikell J
Reviewed on October 15, 2024

We had a lovely time in this charming and sometimes haunting winery. The old world charm and shadowy cellars were full of deep rich smells and ancient cobwebs and haunting Gregorian chants. The staff was friendly and the wines were amazing. We bought a few bottles.

Review provided by Google

Frequently Asked Questions about José Maria Da Fonseca Manor House & Museum

Where is José Maria Da Fonseca Manor House & Museum located?

José Maria Da Fonseca Manor House & Museum is located in Setúbal, Portugal

What type of wines does José Maria Da Fonseca Manor House & Museum produce?

José Maria Da Fonseca Manor House & Museum produces Red Wine, White Wine, Rose Wine, Sparkling Wine, Sweet Wine, Fortified Wine, Spirits.

What grape varieties do they plant at José Maria Da Fonseca Manor House & Museum?

At José Maria Da Fonseca Manor House & Museum, they cultivate We began more than six generations ago, back in 1834, with the irreverent and daring act of our founder José Maria da Fonseca. For some, it was a rash gesture; for us, in the family, it was the step of a visionary. Families are like that; they exist to believe in us..

What languages do they speak at the José Maria Da Fonseca Manor House & Museum?

At José Maria Da Fonseca Manor House & Museum they speak English, Spanish, French, Portuguese.

Do they produce organic wines at José Maria Da Fonseca Manor House & Museum?

No, José Maria Da Fonseca Manor House & Museum is not an organic wine producer.