Antónia Adelaide Ferreira

July 4th 1811 - the birth of one of the most enigmatic woman in Portuguese history. A woman that left an incredible legacy in the industry of Port wine in the 19th century.

Antónia Adelaide Ferreira dedicated her life to port after at 33, becoming a widow - in a world of men, in a time that women did not have loud voices, she stood up. Taking over the management of Casa Ferreira founded by her grandfather, she made important decisions that would benefit the house, brought innovation to Douro valley, bought important estates and inaugurated others such as Quinta do vesúvio and Vale Meão, which made her a very important person for the Port wine sector.

It is said that in 1861, Baron Forrester - an important english businessman of the time - met Antónia at one of her parties. In an attempt to conquer her heart, he offered to take her from her estate Quinta do vesúvio to Peso da Régua by boat, boasting of his extensive knowledge of the geography of the region and river. During the journey, legend says, he was mesmerised by Antónia's beauty and the boat crashed. Unfortunately he did not survive, while "Ferreirinha" was saved, thanks to the several skirts of her dress that kept her afloat during the accident.

She had a lot more to accomplish in her life.

In a time of crisis for port wine, english companies were buying all the estates from desperate small producers that couldn’t support the costs. In order for them not to lose the lands, she bought them and gave them back to the former owners, so that they would keep their estates.

Today we remember "Ferreirinha", as she was known by the people, as a woman who was always loved by everyone, she cared about the well-being of her workers' families, the growth of their lands and cellars.

Therefore, for Portugal, she is a business symbol, an admirable entrepreneur distinguished by her generosity, determination and courage. She passed in 1896, leaving an enormous fortune, 30 farms and the empire that she built throughout the 19th century.

From these estates, “Barca Velha” was born, a symbol of the highest quality of Douro wines, produced only in exceptional years.

In 1987, A. A. Ferreira company was acquired by Sogrape, which annually awards the "Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira Prize", a recognition that honours Portuguese women who contribute to the economic, social and cultural development of the country.

Stay tuned to our social networks for more female characters who changed the course of history in Portugal.

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