In Trás-os-Montes, the vintage started earlier this year and forecasts from the Institute of Vine and Wine pointed to a production increase of about 15%, going from 84 thousand hectoliters in 2025 to approximately 94 thousand hectoliters. Companies such as Casa José Pedro, in Rio Torto, in the municipality of Valpaços, anticipate an excellent quality harvest, with increases of 15 to 20% in white grapes, thanks to favorable weather conditions and the good sanitary state of the vines.
Between July 28 and August 2, a fire that started in Valpaços, district of Vila Real, spread to Mirandela, Vinhais and Macedo de Cavaleiros, district of Bragança, affecting 20 parishes. In Valpaços, 304 hectares of destroyed vineyard were counted, in addition to olive groves and almond orchards, and the Government declared the fire as a "natural catastrophe".
The wine grower Hélder Martins, from the village of Sonim, lost about 90% of his 20 hectares of vineyard, as well as six hectares of olive grove and century-old vines that he described as "living sculptures outdoors". His company, Encostas de Sonim, which ages wines for at least three years, will buy grapes from other local farmers to fulfill commitments with clients and ensure stock in the winery.
Fernando Faria, also from Sonim, lost six hectares of vineyard and two of century-old olive grove, choosing not to produce wine this year and sell the grapes instead. Without insurance, the affected wine growers are studying how to access the support announced by the Government, while the parish saw 90% of its agricultural area destroyed in a territory of smallholdings where, according to Hélder Martins, "a thousand square meters mean a lot".
