Vila Nova
The 12th century Mandureira palace in the Douro Valley is the ancestral estate of the Lencastre family—direct descendants of the First Barao (baron) da Varzea do Douro, Antonio Pinot Garces Mandureira, Portuguese royalty. The royal residence, Vila Nova, meaning “new house,” is located near Penafiel near Vinho Verde.
Grape vines were planted by the family over a brief period in the ‘70s, to the tune of 29 acres. The Lencastre’s varieties of choice tend to be indigenous Portuguese grapes, famous for making Vinho Verde wines.
In 2003, Bernardo Lencastre, the Fifth Baron, took over the property with his siblings to make Vila Nova the standout estate it is today.