José Maria Da Fonseca

What José Maria Da Fonseca does

José Maria da Fonseca is a family-owned Portuguese winery founded in 1834 in Vila Nogueira de Azeitão and currently operated by the Soares Franco family across its sixth to eighth generations. The company produces and sells wines across a wide price band — from entry-level offerings such as Lancers Rosé (€3.99) and Periquita (€9.99) through super-premium SKUs (Hexagon at €89, J de José de Sousa at €79) up to ultra-premium collector releases like the Quadraginta pack (€500) and the centenary Moscatel de Setúbal Superior 1911 (180 bottles). Its production base spans over 650 hectares of company-owned vineyards across three Portuguese regions — Península de Setúbal, Alentejo, and Douro — anchored by the modern Centro de Vinificação Fernando Soares Franco (6.5 million liter capacity) and the heritage Adega José de Sousa in Reguengos de Monsaraz, which retains 114 clay amphorae for ancestral Roman-style vinification. The company also operates the O%riginal line, Portugal's pioneering alcohol-free wine range produced via physical spinning cone dealcoholization.

The business is distributed across multiple channels: direct-to-consumer e-commerce (jmf.pt/loja) serving Portugal, physical wine shops at the Casa Museu estate and Adega José de Sousa, the adjacent Wine Corner restaurant, on-trade distribution through Portuguese hotels and restaurants, and international export partnerships covering Sweden, USA, China, Brazil, Canada, and Australia. Wine tourism — including guided visits, tastings, weddings, corporate events, and online Skype sessions — generated approximately 42,000 visitors from 70 countries at the Casa Museu in 2023 and has won TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice Award for nine consecutive years. Customer segments span individual consumers from entry through ultra-premium collectors, hospitality operators, event organizers, international distributors, and non-alcohol consumers served by the O%riginal line. The diversified go-to-market reduces dependency on any single channel or geography, while the heritage brand, centenary Moscatel library, and partnership with the Portuguese Navy for the Torna Viagem ocean-aging program provide durable differentiation. The company has historically funded expansion through EU/Portugal 2020 co-financed grants totaling approximately €2.17 million across four projects between 2016 and 2024, supplemented by strategic estate acquisitions (José de Sousa 1986, Vinha Grande de Algeruz 1989, Quinta de Mós 2018).

Name

José Maria Da Fonseca

Legal name

José Maria da Fonseca, S.A.

Website

https://jmf.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

1834

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

José Maria da Fonseca is a family-owned Portuguese winery founded in 1834, producing wines from entry-level to ultra-premium across 650+ hectares in Setúbal, Alentejo, and Douro, and selling through e-commerce, hospitality, wine tourism, and international export to six countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wine Production

NAICS

Wineries (312130), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (42482), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (44532)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Wine & Sparkling Wine Wineries & Brands (CRADAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wine Production & Winemaking (AFAFAAAB), Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAE), Wine Tastings & Vineyard/Winery Tours (THAJAGAD), Wine Retail (Bottle Shops & Wine Merchants) (CRANABAB)

Keywords

• Portuguese wine production
• Fortified Moscatel wine
• Wine tourism experiences
• Alcohol-free wine
• Estate-grown Douro wines

Headquarters

HQ city

Vila Nogueira De Azeitão

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct Wine Sales (E-commerce): Online store sales through jmf.pt/loja with delivery across Portugal (continental and islands). Prices range from entry-level wines (€3.99 Lancers) to ultra-premium (€500 Quadraginta pack). Free delivery for orders over €50 in continental Portugal. Payment via Multibanco reference and MB Way.
2. Wine Tourism and Experiences: Enotourism at Casa Museu (Azeitão) and Adega José de Sousa (Alentejo) including guided visits with wine tastings, event hosting (weddings, corporate events), and online tasting experiences via Skype. In 2023, Casa Museu received approximately 42,000 visitors from 70 countries.
3. International Distribution: Export sales to international markets including Sweden, USA, China, Brazil, Canada, and Australia. Products distributed through local wine merchants and retailers in target countries.
4. Restaurant/Hospitality (Wine Corner): Wine Corner restaurant adjacent to Casa Museu provides dining experience with JMF wines. Additional distribution through on-trade (restaurants, hotels) in Portugal.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

José Maria da Fonseca is a family-owned Portuguese winery that produces, ages, and sells a multi-tier portfolio of wines (core, premium, super premium, Moscatel fortified, and non-alcoholic) plus aged aguardente spirits from estate vineyards spanning Península de Setúbal, Alentejo, and Douro. Beyond bottled wine, the company operates wine tourism at the historic Casa Museu in Azeitão and Adega José de Sousa in Reguengos de Monsaraz, complemented by a direct-to-consumer e-commerce store and on-trade distribution.

Product overview

José Maria da Fonseca is a family-owned Portuguese wine company founded in 1834, now in its 8th generation. The company operates a multi-tiered product portfolio organized across several categories: Core Brands (Periquita, Lancers, João Pires, BSE, Montado, JMF Reserva, Ripanço, Vinhas de Algeruz) for everyday accessible wines; Premium Brands (Vinhas de Camarate, Domini, Duque de Palmella, José de Sousa, Pasmados, Periquita Reserva, Terras Altas, Dona Julieta, Porco Bravo) for elevated quality wines; and Super Premium Brands (Domini Plus, José de Sousa Mayor, J de José de Sousa, Pasmados Garrafeira, Periquita Clássico, Periquita Superyor, Hexagon, FSF, Puro Talha, Quadraginta) for collectible and rare wines. The Generous/Fortified category includes extensive Moscatel de Setúbal offerings (Alambre series in multiple age statements, Moscatel Roxo variants, Colecção Privada DSF selections, Trilogia) plus rare collector items (Bastardinho, Torna Viagem, Kingsman, Apothéose, vintage Superior releases). Spirits include Aguardente Espírito, Mosca, and Velha Reserva 1964. The O%riginal line represents Portugal's pioneering non-alcoholic wine category. Wine tourism services at Casa Museu (Azeitão) and Adega José de Sousa (Alentejo) plus online tasting experiences complement the direct-to-consumer online store.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Periquita: First bottled red wine in Portugal (since 1850), flagship brand from Península de Setúbal featuring Castelão grapes
• Lancers
• João Pires
• Montado
• Coleção Privada Domingos Soares Franco (DSF)
• Domini/Domini Plus
• Hexagon
• José de Sousa
• Quinta de Camarate
• Alambre
• O%riginal
• BSE
• Ripanço
• Terras Altas
• Pasmados
• Duque de Palmella
• Dona Julieta
• Porco Bravo
• Vinhas de Algeruz
• Vinhas de Camarate
• Kingsman
• Puro Talha
• FSF
• Trilogia
• Aguardente Espírito
• Aguardente Mosca
• Aguardente Velha Reserva 1964

Products and services

• Periquita
• Lancers
• João Pires
• JMF Core Regional Brands (BSE, JMF Reserva, Montado, Ripanço, Vinhas de Algeruz)
• José de Sousa (Alentejo Amphora Wines)
• Domini and Domini Plus (Douro)
• Hexagon
• FSF
• Puro Talha
• Pasmados and Pasmados Garrafeira
• Alambre Moscatel de Setúbal Range
• Coleção Privada DSF Moscatel Range
• Trilogia
• Rare Centenary Collector Wines (Bastardinho de Azeitão, Moscatel Torna Viagem, Moscatel Superior 1911/1955, Moscatel Roxo 1918, Moscatel Kingsman 1919, Apothéose)
• Aguardente Spirits (Aguardente Espírito, Aguardente Mosca, Aguardente Velha Reserva 1964)
• O%riginal (Alcohol-Free Wine)
• Casa Museu Wine Tourism Experience
• Adega José de Sousa Wine Tourism Experience
• Online Tasting Experiences
• JMF Online Store (jmf.pt/loja)
• Coleção Privada DSF Verdelho 2021
• Coleção Privada DSF Moscatel Roxo Rosé 2021

Quantifiable outcome

• Casa Museu received approximately 42,000 visitors in 2023 from 70 countries
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• MARV (Matthew Vaughn film company)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Collaboration with director Matthew Vaughn and MARV for Kingsman Century Edition Moscatel 1919, a limited edition of 500 bottles commemorating The King's Man film release. Celebrates tradition, luxury, and unique artisanal techniques.
• Marinha Portuguesa (Portuguese Navy)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000Partnership with Portuguese Navy for Torna Viagem program shipping Moscatel de Setúbal casks aboard Navio Escola Sagres. Temperature variations during tropical crossings and equator crossings improve wine complexity. Eight editions completed: 2000, 2007, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020.
• CTT ExpressocoreTechnology or IntegrationLogistics partner for online store deliveries across Portugal. Provides SMS tracking notifications and delivery management through their network of pickup points including CTT stores, PhoneHouse stores, and post offices.
• HiPaycoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment platform provider for e-commerce transactions supporting Multibanco reference payments and MB Way mobile payments.
• International Distributors (Sweden, USA, China, Brazil, Canada, Australia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWine distribution partnerships across key international markets including Sweden, USA, China, Brazil, Canada, and Australia supported by Portugal 2020 internationalization funding.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sogrape Vinhos: Portugal's largest family-owned wine group with a multi-brand, multi-region portfolio (Mateus, Sandeman, Ferreira, Gazela). Direct peer: comparable size, similar multi-generational family ownership, multiple Portuguese regions, and broad international distribution.
• Symington Family Estates: Family-owned Port and Douro wine producer (Graham's, Taylor's, Cockburn's, Dow's). Comparable as multi-generational family-owned Portuguese wine company with premium positioned portfolio and global export presence.
• Herdade do Esporão: Major Alentejo wine producer combining vineyard, winery, and wine tourism. Direct peer in the Alentejo region with similar premium positioning, enotourism offering (restaurants, tours), and own-brand retail.
• Quinta do Crasto: Family-owned Douro wine estate producing premium Port and Douro DOC wines. Comparable as multi-generational family estate in the Douro region with premium tier wines and international distribution.
• Real Companhia Velha: Historic Port and Douro wine producer (since 1756). Comparable as one of the oldest Portuguese wine houses with multi-generational heritage branding, fortified/Port focus, and premium global positioning.
• Ramos Pinto: Port and Douro wine house founded 1880, now owned by Roederer. Comparable Portuguese heritage wine brand with premium positioning, enotourism at Quinta do Bom Retiro, and international export distribution.
• Quinta do Noval: Iconic Douro/Port producer with vineyards and celebrated single-vintage Ports. Comparable as a heritage-driven Douro wine house with centenary inventory and ultra-premium pricing tier.

Emerging players

• Wine & Soul: Boutique Douro winery founded by Sandra Tavares and Jorge Serôdio. Comparable in family-scale craft winemaking approach and premium Portuguese wine positioning, though with smaller scale and less heritage.
• Cortes de Cima: Family-owned Alentejo winery with strong focus on sustainable viticulture and premium wines. Comparable as family-owned Portuguese regional producer with international distribution and DTC focus.

Broad incumbents

• Miguel Torres (Spain) / Familia Torres: Large multi-generational Spanish wine group with operations in Portugal and global markets. Broadly comparable as a family-owned Iberian wine incumbent with extensive multi-region portfolio, premium brands, and international distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/josemariadafonseca
• Instagraminstagram.com/winecorner.azeitao
• Xx.com/JMFonsecaWines
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jose-maria-da-fonseca

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about José Maria Da Fonseca