Our story
From Shoemaker to Winemaker: The Sapateiro Story
Sapateiro means shoemaker in Portuguese. Our family winery began in a shoe shop, whose owner planted a small parcel of vines, and today we craft boutique wines on our family estate in Tabuado, Marco de Canaveses, in Portugal’s Vinho Verde region.
Where it began
A shoemaker’s passion, a family’s legacy
It began with António Soares, who sold shoes in his own shop. He planted a small parcel of vines on the family farm and made wine to share with his loved ones. When customers from his shoe shop began asking to take a bottle home, a simple family tradition grew into something more. Little by little, António spent less time selling shoes and more time among the vines.
Today, that legacy lives on through Tiago Soares, who crafts boutique wines on the family’s five-hectare estate in Tabuado, in Portugal’s Vinho Verde region. Working with hand-picked native grape varieties, each wine reflects a connection to the land, a respect for craftsmanship and a family tradition that continues to evolve.
Every bottle is individually numbered. Every wine carries a piece of our story.
Sapateiro in numbers
Small by choice
- Family estate in Tabuado, Marco de Canaveses
- 5 ha
- Bottles produced per year
- ≈ 25,000
- Different wines, in small batches
- ≈ 10
- Every bottle, individually
- Numbered
The estate
A quiet place people love to visit
Our 50,000 m² wine estate in Tabuado brings together the vineyard, fruit trees, plants, animals and our wine cellar, with a great view over the city of Marco de Canaveses.
- High-quality boutique wines made with native grape varieties
- Every grape carefully selected and hand-picked
- Every bottle individually numbered, and the corks hold a surprise, so don’t forget to check them
The people behind Sapateiro
Meet the Family
The faces (and paws) you will meet at our winery.
The winemaker
Tiago Soares
Tiago is responsible for the project. He aims to protect the region’s authenticity while searching for modern styles that enhance the wine experience.
Every wine tasting at Sapateiro is led by the winemaker himself.
Viticulturist
António Soares
What began as a hobby and a love for the vineyard soon grew into something more.
I first made wine only for our family, but when I saw how much others enjoyed it, and asked for more, I began spending less time on shoes and more among the vines.
Today, this small family business fills me with pride, knowing that people from around the world raise a glass to our wines. Saúde!
Executive Assistant/Chef
Silvi Teixeira
In every small business, it is essential to have someone versatile and adaptable, ready to step in wherever needed. That is me.
At Sapateiro, you will find me wearing many hats, always with the same purpose: to help our family grow and share this project with the world.
Receptionist & Children’s Entertainer
Chico & Inácio
Please, throw the ball!
And do not worry – the only thing we bite is food.
Friendly and full of charm, Inácio, the big one, is trained and always ready to welcome guests. Chico, the older one, is the boss around here, and he makes sure everyone knows it.
Our wines
Taste our story
Small batches made from hand-picked native grape varieties. Some of them sell out quickly.
The Holiday Table – feestelijk wijnpakket met 3 flessen
The Holiday Table – feestelijk wijnpakket met 3 flessen
Sapateiro Heritage Collection – wijnpakket met 6 flessen
Sapateiro Heritage Collection – wijnpakket met 6 flessen
Sapateiro Reserva Branco – Alvarinho & Avesso op vat
Sapateiro Reserva Branco – Alvarinho & Avesso op vat
Questions
About Sapateiro
What does Sapateiro mean?
Sapateiro means shoemaker in Portuguese. Our story began with António Soares, who sold shoes in his own shop, planted a small parcel of vines on the family farm and made wine to share with his loved ones.
Who makes Sapateiro wines?
Tiago Soares, our winemaker, crafts our boutique wines on the family estate in Tabuado, in Portugal’s Vinho Verde region, from hand-picked native grape varieties.
Where is Sapateiro Boutique Winery?
Sapateiro Boutique Winery is a family winery at Rua de Canhões 967, 4635-430 Tabuado, Marco de Canaveses, in Portugal’s Vinho Verde region, about 1 hour from Porto.
How many bottles does Sapateiro produce?
Around 25,000 bottles per year, across around ten different wines. They are small batches, so some of them sell out quickly. Every bottle is individually numbered.
Can I visit the winery?
Yes. Every tasting is led by the winemaker himself. We offer the Essential Wine Tasting (€20 per person), the Cheeseboard Wine Tasting (€30 per person) and Silvi’s Tapas Wine Tasting (€40 per person). See our wine tastings.
Visit us
Find us in the Vinho Verde region
Our family winery and guest house are about 1 hour from Porto, in Portugal’s Vinho Verde region.
- Winery
- Rua de Canhões 967, 4635-430 Tabuado, Marco de Canaveses, Portugal
- Guest house
- Rua de Canhões 813, 4635-491 Marco de Canaveses, Portugal
- Phone
- +351 935 884 937
- tiago@sapateiro.wine
