Mateus Rose, the greatest success in Portugal's wine history

Mateus Rose, the greatest success in Portugal’s wine history

In 1942, Fernando Van Zeller Guedes founded Sogrape, thereby creating one of the most emblematic wines in Portugal’s winemaking history, the Mateus wine.

Inspired by the flasks used in the Second World War, the bottle design constituted one of the greatest innovations ever seen in the history of Portuguese wine and made an enormous difference for the brand and its selling success.

FERNANDO VAN ZELLER GUEDES PROMOTING MATEUS IN THE FAR EAST, 1976

Fernando Van Zeller was a visionary in the Portuguese wine industry, and his marketing campaigns were essential for the development of Sogrape and the Mateus wine brand.

In one of his early marketing campaigns, Fernando Van Zeller sent two bottles of wine to each Portuguese embassy around the world. One to be tasted and one to be delivered to the best local wine dealer – an ingenious idea!

Today, this wine is consumed in more than 120 countries and the biggest success in the history of Portuguese wines. In the 80s, Mateus wine represented more than 40% of wine exports from Portugal.

Portugal's wine history

The rosé version, made from Baga, Rufete, Tinta Barroca and Touriga Franca varieties, was one of Pope Paul VI’s favorites. Jimi Hendrix, Fidel Castro, Elton John, Queen Elizabeth, as well as many other celebrities were also enchanted by the wine.

Also read: A Biography on the Famous Monastery Winery in Burgundy

Fernando Van Zeller is a great icon in the history of Portuguese wine, and has turned Sogrape into one of the most respected wineries in Portugal and across the world.