Miguel Ferreira | Winemaker | Adega de Favaios, Douro, Portugal

It’s no secret that we are big fans of Portuguese wine here at Good Pair Days, and for good reason. This country is a treasure trove of local, indigenous grape varieties that open up a whole new world of discovery for wine lovers. We recently had a chance to touch base with Miguel Ferreira, the winemaker at Adega de Favaios, which can be found in the Cima Corgo, a sub-region of Portugal’s Douro Valley, and a historic hub for fortified wines: Port and Moscatel.

For so many winemakers in this part of the world, it is in their blood. Harvest time is a time for family and celebration, so there is little surprise that Miguel and so many others end up in the wine trade, whether they are born into it or not. Here’s what he had to say...

Why did you decide to get into winemaking?

Although I don’t have a family history of winemaking, in the rural village where I grew up it was common practice for small producers in harvest times to make wine with their. Since that time and as a kid, I used to love to go with my father to help as much as I could.

It was a social party atmosphere and not only when picking the grapes but that continued through the evening with a happy dinner followed by the traditional foot pressing of the grapes in the “lagares” to make the wine.

That was the moment that my passion for wine came along. I miss those times and moments!

Do you have a favourite wine or wine region outside of your own?

Yes of course 😊 I love the DOC Vinho Verde region, the place where I am from. In my opinion it is one of the most promising wine regions in the world for white wines.

I can also say that I love and admire the sweet wines from Tokaj.

What grape variety do you like working with the most and why?

Without a doubt Moscatel Galego from the Favaios area.

It is an extremely versatile grape that allows several styles of wine to be made and all with a distinctive character.

Having the climate and the soil that we have in the Douro, we can make incredible naturally sweet wines; but also whites with an excellent dry structure too. We can even create late harvest style wines and sparkling wine with ageing in bottle from this grape variety.

There are not many grape varieties with this level of versatality and flexibilty.

Celebrity Crush?

No, not at all.

Favourite Movie?

Magnolia

Favourite type of music/artist?

A awesone band that I grew with as a teenager  – Faith No More.

Fun fact about you that has nothing to do with wine?

If I can chose something to do to relax it is to be around nature in silence. True silence is difficult these days. I am happy to sit in a remote spot and listen for hours, this clears my head.
I love to look at the trees, mushrooms and animals, these are my favourite things to do as well as Kayaking.

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