History and Family
Pereira de Melo is the name of a family with ancestral roots in the Dão region.
The name Melo originates in the ancient Village of Melo, located on the northern slope of the Estrela Mountain.
The current family property is located in Santa Comba Dão and dates from 1973.
Although they also have roots and residence in the city of Oporto, their devotion to nature and rural life has meant that they have always spent much of their time in the Dão.
A special passion for wine culture has been passed down from generation to generation.
Respect for traditions in perfect harmony with an innovative vision of modernity are at the heart of the commitment embraced.
This family project has in its genesis the creation of wines of artisanal production in very limited editions. Aimed at a high level of demand, they are only commercialised in prestigious venues, that distinguish themselves by the work they do, which is why they have a strong presence in the Michelin universe.
Exclusive wines of exceptional quality are meticulously conceived by true artisans, interpreters of the extraordinary terroir of a place with a unique tradition of longevity.
Manuel Pereira de Melo was a young man with a restless spirit who had endured a particularly strict upbringing. Irreverent, adventurous and with sophisticated tastes, he cultivated a playful life surrounded by friends, revelry and dancing. Enfant terrible but a dreamer, he imagined himself travelling the world, dancing and living between the vibrancy of a beach bar and the placidity of vineyards.
A long academic and bohemian life in Coimbra, where he went to study law, was interspersed with escapes through the various corners of the world, undertaking real journeys of enjoying their great pleasures. For some of the most famous dance destinations he improved his skills and among famous vineyards he experienced the best that is produced in the wine universe. Crossing continents, he intensely enjoyed his life as a dandy.
The advancing years demanded some restraint in adventurism, and he began to devote himself more attentively to his studies. Thus, with a passage through the Marketing course, he would graduate in International Relations.
His passion for the world of wine led him to join some of the most prominent companies in the sector, where he took responsibility for external relations and participated in several official missions.
He was co-founder of Grupo dos Sete (Group of Seven), an association formed by the most important companies in the wine sector to promote Portuguese wine in the international market.
Fortunately, life and his ingenuity allowed the dreams of his youth to be fulfilled.
An entrepreneur in various sectors, he was also a dance and protocol teacher, he planned and built a bar and restaurant of reference over the sea on a beach in Foz do Douro and finally realised another of his dreams, that of living surrounded by vineyards and producing great wines in the Dão.
Manuel Pereira de Melo started the project in the early 1990s,
with the aim of producing detailed wines with great character, elegance and longevity.
The technical direction was in charge of his friend and one of the most prestigious Portuguese oenologists, Anselmo Mendes, who, in 2006, brought to the team his special collaborator, the competent oenologist Patrícia Santos, who came to take technical responsibility.
At the beginning of the 1990s the vineyards were planted and it would be a long journey before they reached the maturity needed to produce wines of special complexity, elegance and longevity. Thus, it was only in 2004 that the decision was taken to move to the production of the first vintage of the Primado brand.
Dates of our history
“Planting of vines with the red grape varieties Touriga-Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Alfrocheiro-Preto, Jaen and Tinta Pinheira.”
1990
“Finishing of construction of the estate’s cellar.”
2002
“Production of the first vintage of Primado Red.”
2004
“Production of the first vintage of Primado Rosé.”
2006
“Marketing of the first vintage of a Primado, the 2004 red.”
2008
“Production of the first vintage of Primado White.”
2017
“Planting the vineyard with the Encruzado grape variety
Production of the first vintage of Primado SB.”
2021
“Introduction of the first vintage of Primado Red Family Cellar Edition.”
2024
“Introduction of Primado 20, lot of different vintages celebrating 20 years since the first vintage of Primado.”