Casa do Joa

Casa do JOA is a deeply personal project born in the village of Parada, a small and timeless place about 20 km from Bragança, in the Trás-os-Montes region of northern Portugal. Here, where life moves at a slower pace, Jorge Ortega Afonso (JOA) returned to his roots to fulfill a long-held dream: to restore an old family house and transform it into a winery dedicated to producing his own wines.

The project is closely tied to the land and its people, who are an essential part of its identity. The vineyards, located at around 700 meters of altitude, grow on schist soils and are exposed to significant temperature variations, conditions that contribute to the uniqueness of the wines. Some of the vines are over 100 years old and include more than 20 different grape varieties, often coexisting within the same plot—or even the same vine—thanks to traditional planting methods. This heritage, combined with JOA’s academic background in viticulture and wine business, results in a project that blends tradition, innovation, and a strong emotional connection to the territory.

The wines of Casa do JOA are a direct expression of this unique terroir and its old vineyards. The presence of multiple grape varieties, often mixed within the same vineyard, creates complex and distinctive wines, where balance and character emerge naturally from this “field blend” approach.

Winemaking is carried out with great care, combining traditional methods with modern enological knowledge. The aim is to preserve the authenticity of the grapes while enhancing their natural complexity. The result is a range of wines marked by depth, individuality, and a strong sense of place—true reflections of the Alto Transmontano landscape and the passion behind the project.