Baías e Enseadas is not just a winery – it's a quiet revolution taking place on the windswept coast of Colares. The project was founded by Daniel Afonso, a passionate and self-taught winemaker who traded convention for conviction. With no background in wine, Daniel began planting vines just a few kilometers from the Atlantic in 2013. The name, which means "Bays and Coves," reflects both the geography and the spirit of exploration that define his wines.
Colares was once one of Portugal's most legendary wine regions, but fell into obscurity as coastal vineyards were replaced by development. Now, a handful of visionary winemakers – including Daniel – are bringing the region back to life. Most of his wines are labeled as Lisboa VR, as they come from limestone soils rather than the traditional sandy terroir. But in 2023, he released his first Colares DOC – a wine made from Malvasia, grown ungrafted in the sand, just as tradition dictates. Regardless of classification, his wines speak clearly of their place – shaped by ocean winds, limestone, and a unique microclimate.
Daniel's winemaking is defined by restraint and clarity. Indigenous yeasts, gentle pressing, neutral oak barrels, and minimal intervention let the grape varieties – both traditional and experimental – speak for themselves. Whether it's Arinto, Malvasia de Colares, Pinot Noir, or Ramisco from newly planted vines in sandy soil, the goal is the same: to express this windswept terroir with honesty and precision.
From a small garage winery in Mercês, Sintra, Baías e Enseadas has made its way onto the tables of some of the world's most celebrated restaurants. With a production of around 8,000 bottles, most of which are exported, these wines are in high demand – elegant, full of character, and unapologetically Colares.
As Daniel himself puts it: "I don't want to be different. I want to represent the region. I want someone to taste my wines and say: 'This could only be from Colares.'"
