It all started more than 40 years ago, in Melgaço, when the family started planting the Alvarinho variety on land that, until then, had only served mostly for the production of corn and wine.

Since then, realizing the economic importance of the Alvarinho variety and the quality of the family land, one or two more vineyard plots were planted year after year. And so, over the decades, the family plantation has grown by more than 30 plots, up to the current 5Ha. It has evolved in vineyard management systems and in the development of production techniques.

In 2012, while still working in Business Management (his training area), José Manuel Fernandes, the eldest son of the family, recognized the quality of the grapes produced and immediately identified a business opportunity. Therefore, in this context, he started winemaking in 2015, in his own facilities under the brand "Encosta da Capela".

The designation "Encosta da Capela" arises from the homage paid to the Chapel adjacent to the winery and which belonged to the family in previous generations, as well as the land that surrounds it and which, being characterized by hillside vineyards, would naturally come to be called "chapel fields".

This tribute also extends to the Master who built the Chapel, at the time also a resident of this place of Regueiro, and to whom is also due the contribution in the construction of the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Peneda (inserted in the National Park of Peneda-Gerês), as well as other works scattered throughout the municipality of Melgaço.