Sofia Soares Franco, from the seventh generation of a family that has been devoted to winemaking for nearly 200 years and has managed domestic tourism and events for José María da Fonseca for over 16 years, has been awarded “Best Professional” of wine tourism by APENO – Portuguese Wine Tourism Association.
In a ceremony held on Friday, May 26, at the Hotel Convento de São Paulo, awards for best tasting room were also given to Niepport; Best Tour Company, WINEnROUTE; Best Overall Project from Adega Mayor; Azores Wine’s Best Sustainable Project; Bombim’s Best Restaurant 1896; Best Chef, Miguel Levan; best bartenders, Gonzalo Mendez; Best stay at Torre de Palma Wine Hotel; Quinta da Taboadella’s best shop; Best Art and Culture, to WOW – World of Wine; Best Innovation and Technology, for WOW – World of Wine; Best hospitality in Herdade da Malhadinha; And the best wine tourism in Portugal, in Herdade da Malhadinha.
Sofia Soares Franco, in a press release by José María da Fonseca, said she was pleased with the distinction she received and shared with the Wine Tourism and Events teams of José María da Fonseca’s House Museum, in Vila Nogueira de Azietao, and Adega José de Sousa, in Reguengos de Monsaraz, “which daily provide great experiences for those who visit us.”
“I work every day with loyal, shirtless people who nurture a passion for the art of hospitality,” stressed José Maria da Fonseca’s Corporate Communications Person.
“With the thousands of visitors it has received in recent years, Jose Maria da Fonseca’s wine tourism (which consists of Museo Casa Jose Maria da Fonseca and Adiga Jose de Souza) has welcomed in 2022 more than 36,000 visitors from more than 80 different countries,” the statement adds. Portugal was the source of 20% of the visitors followed by the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Spain.
The statement also states that in 2019, José Maria da Fonseca completed its bid with the opening of a restaurant in the House-Museum, The Wine Corner by José Maria da Fonseca, “which features a local, seasonal and sustainable tasting offer”.
Also according to the same information, the awards were decided by a “panel of more than 250 judges”, including official wine and tourism entities, chefs and sommeliers, APENO partners, specifying the official bodies that voted for the different regions of your region, sector professionals and people involved. and overseas projects.
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