Quinta Pousada de Fora house surrounded by nature

The Estate

A dream that came to life

In Azurém, Guimarães, in the green Minho — where vineyard, nature and hospitality meet.

Hectares of rural land: 8.9
Hectares of vineyard: 5.7
The dream begins: 2016
Guest houses: 3

The Destination

Azurém, Guimarães, in the green Minho

Guimarães: the city that keeps the past alive. One of the most historic regions in Europe, it is the cradle of Portugal, with landscapes of priceless beauty and traditions that have shaped a legacy of generations.

A land of authenticity and hospitality, it is known for its people. Whoever passes through Guimarães feels good, feels at home.

With a medieval atmosphere in its purest sense, the motto is set by the words “Aqui Nasceu Portugal” (Portugal was born here), displayed on one of the towers of the old city wall and woven into the fervour with which the people of Guimarães live everything about their city.

Largo do Toural, in the centre of Guimarães

Cobbled street in the historic centre of Guimarães

“Portugal was born here”

Guimarães is one of the most important historic cities in the country, and its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it one of the region's main tourist destinations. Its streets and monuments breathe history and enchant every visitor. Iron balconies, granite porches and verandas, manor houses, arches linking narrow streets, paving stones worn smooth by the years, towers and cloisters carry us back in time. Guimarães is a city proud of its past.

Rui Vaz Guimarães in the Quinta Pousada de Fora vineyard — Rui Vaz Guimarães, founder

A new chapter

A story told in the first person

A new chapter is now being written, one you will not find in the history books of Portugal. It goes beyond the tale that begins with “Portugal was born here”, beyond the castle walls and the historic centre. It is a chapter told in the first person by Rui Vaz Guimarães, founder of Quinta Pousada de Fora, who tells us how this beautiful new story began.

Born and raised in Guimarães, he felt a strong bond with nature and the outdoors from an early age, which led him to study Forestry Engineering at UTAD in the 1990s. He worked across forestry management, gardening, landscaping, vegetation control and agricultural investment. A son of the land and of farming, he founded Quinta Pousada de Fora.

Quinta Pousada de Fora house at dusk, among the vines

October 2016

From 12th-century ruins to a living estate

In October 2016, Rui Vaz Guimarães set out after a dream — one that joined his passion for nature with the products we draw from it.

He gave new life to Lugar da Pousada, which once held only 12th-century ruins. He put his hands in the soil and let his dream take flight. And so Quinta Pousada de Fora was born, in the parish of Azurém, right in the heart of Guimarães. In perfect harmony with a typical Minho landscape, respect for nature, hospitality and authenticity come to life.

The Vineyard

From the soil to the glass

Driven by dream and passion, he turned Quinta Pousada de Fora into a showcase of high-quality produce. Rigour, simplicity and innovation can be felt in every product.

Across our 5.7 hectares of vineyard, we preserve ancestral growing techniques combined with the latest developments in viticulture, leading to greater environmental sustainability and respect for nature.

At Quinta Pousada de Fora we invite you on a journey through the origin and making of our wines, from the soil to the glass. We invite you to discover our estate and enjoy the beautiful landscape with our wines and the finest local produce.

Rigour
Simplicity
Innovation

Hospitality

To wine and nature, he added his passion for people.

The geographic richness of the estate came to complement the original winemaking dream with a tourist and cultural side. From the lush green landscape in its purest state, a world of modernity and simplicity is born at Quinta Pousada de Fora.

Indoors, contemporary design meets the traditions and rural character of Guimarães, where the comfort and wellbeing of every moment can be enjoyed in our three guest houses.

Discover the houses

Granite façade of one of the estate's guest houses

Commitment and Passion

The pillars that guide us

Respect for the Environment and Sustainability

At Quinta Pousada de Fora, our vision extends to the territory we belong to and includes the sustainable revitalisation of the surrounding countryside. Respect for the environment and sustainability have been two of our most important pillars since the estate was founded. Our commitment to the environment goes far beyond a response to the climate emergency. Protecting the land is part of who we are, as producers who live from it.

We see environmental, social and economic responsibility as three essentials for our growth. Continuously understanding the environmental impact of our activities, adopting production processes and technologies with less impact, and managing and using the natural resources of our vineyard and its biodiversity efficiently are our main goals when it comes to environmental responsibility.

Social Responsibility

We are surrounded by people who inspire us and whom we admire. This is how we approach every day, seeking the constant evolution and growth we need at each stage of our lives. Respect and companionship are two pillars that define us and that we intend to carry throughout the life of this dream that is Quinta Pousada de Fora.

Whoever passes through Quinta Pousada de Fora feels good, feels at home.

Visit the shop