PT22 Visit to Porto - Ferreira cellars

Ferreira Cellars are located on the Douro’s riverfront, in the historical center of Vila Nova de Gaia. Established in an old convent, Ferreira is one of the most extraordinary wineries in Gaia. The wine cellars are over 300 years old. Housed in a large building with high worn wooden cellings, the cellar was founded in 1751 by a family of winemakers from the Douro in 1751.

First, during a guided tour, students and teachers discovered the winery. Enveloped in a very particular smell of moist wood mixed with sweet wine, they explored the cellars where the casks and vats are kept. Then, they found out about porto wine’s history and how Dona Antónia Ferreira managed to consolidate the company : in the « Dona Antónia Ferreira Belongings Room » and the Museum, they were told that this Portuguese businesswoman born in 1811 and dead in 1896 is known not only for leadership in the cultivation of porto wine but also for the winemaking innovations she introduced to Portugal. She received her nickname « FERREIRINHA » for her devotion and care for the working families who farmed her lands and vineyards. 

The students visited a place representative of a woman who fought for her rights and made a name for herself in Portuguese history :  Dona Antónia Ferreira who, thanks to a combination -rare for the time- of vision, courage, independence of spirit and entrepreneurship, impressively developed the family business, becoming the owner of the Douro’s largest agricultural heritage and one of the country’s largest fortunes.