SAndra Tavares da Silva

OWNER, WINE&SOUL WINERY

DUORO VALLEY, PORTUGAL

In 2001, Sandra Tavares da Silva decided she wanted to start making wine, and her lack of a vineyard or grapes wasn’t going to stop her. She and her partner Jorge Serôdio Borges began with a single red wine, and since then have created a beautiful collection of wines that embody the natural diversity of the Duoro Valley. We love visiting the Wine&Soul vineyard on our Portugal trip, and we know you will too.

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1. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP? WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?

It’s funny because since I was very young I always had the feeling that I wanted to be a farmer… all my childhood I’ve been in contact with the countryside and loved to be at the farm of my grandparents and parents so when I had to decide which college to go, I chose Agronomy and then completed a masters in Enology at Italy. So it was a very natural and organic growth...

2. WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST REWARDING PART ABOUT OWNING YOUR OWN VINEYARD AND WINE COLLECTION?

It is watching and living together with nature, being part of it and Wine is a magic product because it is a very social and brings people together, giving a lot of feelings and emotions. It’s so rewarding just to share it!

3. WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU LOVE ABOUT DUORO VALLEY? WHAT MAKES IT THE PERFECT PLACE FOR WINE&SOUL?

Douro Valley is a very dramatic, impressive and absolutely gorgeous landscape that was beautifully worked and sculpted by humans! Because of all the diversity of terroirs, varieties, very old vines and of course tradition, Duoro Valley is the perfect place to produce and create our wines! It is a very challenging region in many ways, regarding the landscape, lack of labour, and climate, but the result is amazing!

4. WHERE IS A DREAM SOLO TRAVEL DESTINATION AND WHY? WHAT’S STOPPING YOU?

There are so many places I haven’t visited, just because of lack of time, between our company and family (we have 3 kids…). But I would love to visit Australia because since I was a child I wanted to study there and I’ve been always so fascinated with the landscape, nature and Australians are such nice people. Also Peru, because the landscape reminds me of Douro in many ways and I would love to taste and experience all the gastronomy!

5. IS THERE A PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE YOURSELF AS A YOUNG GIRL?

Never stop dreaming, believe in yourself and be resilient!

6. WHAT DO YOU DO TO UNWIND?

Play with my kids, garden, and walk in the vineyards by myself!