For five generations, the Alves de Sousa family has been an integral part of Portugal’s majestic Douro Valley. For decades, their legacy remained a quiet one, as they supplied their exceptional grapes to other producers, content to be the unsung heroes of the region’s winemaking. But a dramatic and defining shift occurred in 1987. Driven by a powerful passion to bring his family’s story to light, Domingos Alves de Sousa made a courageous decision: he returned to the family estates, determined to make a daring leap of faith and bottle wines under their own distinguished name.
This was more than a business venture; it was a personal and professional revolution. Domingos became a true visionary, meticulously restructuring the vineyards and building modern cellars to produce a new kind of wine. He was a pioneer in championing high-quality still Douro wines, a category that was often overlooked in favor of traditional Port. He saw the untapped potential in the land and a way to honor its history while forging a new path forward.
Today, this journey is a true family enterprise. Domingos works in a close, collaborative partnership with his son, Tiago Alves de Sousa, who now serves as the exclusive winemaker. Their hands-on approach and shared passion allow them to harness the unique character of several distinct properties across the Douro, including the famed Quinta da Gaivosa. This powerful partnership allows them to express the authentic voice of indigenous Douro grape varieties, crafting both their renowned still wines and their exceptional Ports. Each bottle is a testament to a family’s unwavering vision and a living story of their love for the land, a culmination of generations of hard work and one man’s daring belief that their name deserved to be on the label.
5+5 stands for the five generation of the González who have led the company into 21st century, and for the next five generation who will continue a mission based on the good work done so far.