House of Wheels

Category: Civil Architecture > Manor House

District: Viana do Castelo > Monção > Ferreiros

Location

Casa das Rodas is located in the town of Ferreiros, an independent parish in the municipality of Monção, within the district of Viana do Castelo. Situated in a quiet area of the Minho region, the property offers the serenity of the Minho countryside without being excessively far from the center of Monção. Its location, embraced by the lush, green landscape characteristic of the Minho Valley, allows for a deep immersion in the natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere of the region.

This place, historically known as Lugar de Rodas, provides a unique environment where rural tradition harmonizes with its proximity to one of Portugal's most renowned wine-growing areas, the sub-region of Monção e Melgaço.

Memory and Architecture

Casa das Rodas is a remarkable example of a Minho manor house, with origins dating back to the 16th century, specifically to the year 1566. It was built by the Pita Palhares Antas Marinho family, who owned it for centuries, until 2022. This longevity gives the property a rich historical journey, witnessed by its walls and its distinctive architectural style.

The historical and cultural value of Casa das Rodas is officially recognized, having been classified as a Building of Public Interest since January 3, 1986. This classification underscores the property's importance in preserving the region's built heritage.

The Signature Garden

One of the most distinctive and valued elements of Casa das Rodas is its garden. In 1961, this green space was the subject of a landscape architecture project by Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles, a central figure in Portuguese landscaping. The project reflects the vision and sensitivity of this renowned architect, integrating the garden into the surrounding landscape and bestowing upon it a masterfully conceived beauty and design.

The presence of a garden designed by Ribeiro Telles is not just an aesthetic feature, but also an element of great cultural value, inviting a careful appreciation of the space and its dialogue with the house's architecture.

The Winemaking Tradition

The Casa das Rodas estate extends over approximately 27.5 hectares, much of which is dedicated to viticulture. On these vast lands, the predominant production is Alvarinho wine, the queen grape of the Monção e Melgaço region, known for its exceptional quality and unique character.

At the end of 2022, Casa das Rodas was acquired by Symington Family Estates, a family with a long and prestigious history in wine production in Portugal. This acquisition marks a new chapter in the property's history, maintaining and enhancing its winemaking tradition and launching the production of a new wine, "Symington Alvarinho Casa de Rodas", with consultancy from oenologist Anselmo Mendes, starting in 2023.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa_das_Rodas

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt