Solar das Bouças was established in the 18th century. Like most of Portugal’s wineries, the property dealt with years of high-points and struggles that were all-too-well known to the country’s winemaking history. The farm, near ruin, was resurrected by Albano Castro Sousa. He transformed the winery from the brink of extinction to become one of the most respected producers of Vinho Verde. Sousa saw the potential in what the land had to offer and invested in the “Vinhos de Quinta” which went on to become an official designation of the purity and quality of wines across the country.
In the late 1990’s, Albano Castro Sousa sold the property to a well-known port wine firm “Quinta do Noval” – owned by the Van Zeller family. After several years, the Van Zellers themselves were ready to sell the Solar das Bouças property, but Fernando Van Zeller decided to keep the estate. He had a vision for restoration and a passion for the quality of wine that came from the land. He began by rehabilitating the houses on the property and continued with a full restoration of the historic manor house. The final element in his renovation was to replant the entire property with new vineyards and varietals, allowing for regeneration and growth, while maintaining respect for the celebrated wine production that had always marked Solar das Bouças with excellence.
