Casa de Vila Nova is owned by the Lencastre family, of aristocratic Portuguese lineage (one of their ancestors became the first Baron of Varzea do Douro in the 1800s). This land has been in their family since the 12th century - the ivy clad tower that still remains from that time is now surrounded by Vila Nova (new house) that was built in the 1700s, and the property was gradually extended over the centuries.The estate is near the town of Penafiel, close to the eastern border of Portugal's vinho verde wine region, around a 30 minute drive east from Oporto. In the late 1970s the family planted vines over 12 hectares - mainly local Portuguese varieties. In 2008 Bernardo Lencastre and his brothers took over the running of the property, revitalised the vineyards and began making vinho verde and bottling their own wines - the first generation to do so. They now have around 42 hectares of vineyard.Here, in the Entre-Douro-e-Minho sub-region of Sousa, their vineyards are influenced by winds from the Atlantic Ocean - creating the perfect climate to ripen varieties such as Avesso, Loureiro and Alvarinho.

Casa de Vila Nova is located in the sub region of Sousa, the Vinho Verde Demarcated Region, in the North of Portugal. The vinho verde lands are exposed to the Atlantic Ocean winds and influence. Soils, microclimate, grape varieties and the unique characteristics of the wine culture, distinguish it from all other wine regions of the world.

The grapes are harvested by hand in 20 kg boxes that are quickly transported to the winery where the grapes are destemmed then a soft pressing takes place and fermentation in temperature controlled vats.

Caesar and Tuna Nicoise salads, or crab cakes