Casa de Mateus

Casa de Mateus is one of Portugal's most celebrated Baroque architectural ensembles and one of the country's most recognisable images worldwide — its symmetrical façade reflected in a long ornamental pool graces the label of the legendary Mateus Rosé wine, exported globally since the 1940s. Located in the parish of Mateus, Vila Real municipality, just a few kilometres from Sabrosa and the heart of the Alto Douro Wine Region, it is an unmissable stop on any Douro itinerary.

Baroque Architecture by Nicolau Nasoni

The manor was commissioned by António José Botelho Mourão in the first half of the 18th century, designed by the Italian-born architect Nicolau Nasoni (1691–1773) — the same master responsible for the Clérigos Tower and Church of São Pedro dos Clérigos in Porto. The main façade is a masterpiece of northern Portuguese Baroque: two projecting wings in grey granite frame a central frontispiece crowned with pilasters, pinnacles, and a grand ceremonial staircase with sculpted balusters. The flanking bell tower adds vertical drama to the composition. The interior retains 17th- and 18th-century furniture, porcelain, tapestries, and a significant sacred art collection.

Gardens and Ornamental Pool

The formal gardens of Casa de Mateus, laid out in the French garden style with Italian influences, are considered among the finest private gardens on the Iberian Peninsula. The celebrated box hedge tunnel — a living archway of meticulously trimmed boxwood grown over decades — is one of the garden's most photographed features. Geometric parterres, rose gardens, cypress alleys, and the long reflective pool before the north façade create a scene of rare harmony. The Fundação Casa de Mateus, which today manages the estate, hosts international artistic residencies, summer chamber-music concerts, and temporary exhibitions in the palace and garden spaces.

Connection to Mateus Rosé Wine

In 1942, entrepreneur Fernando van Zeller Guedes secured permission from the Sottomayor family to use the solar's image on the bottle of Mateus Rosé, produced by Sogrape. The wine became a global phenomenon in the 1960s and 1970s, carrying the image of Casa de Mateus into homes around the world and boosting the international profile of the Douro wine region. Today, Casa de Mateus also produces its own DOC Douro and Trás-os-Montes wines under the foundation label.

Visitor Information

Casa de Mateus is located 4 km from Vila Real town centre and about 20 km from Sabrosa, easily reached by car via the EN322. Guided tours of the palace interior are available, and the gardens can be explored independently. The Foundation organises garden concerts during summer. Find accommodation in the Douro and combine the visit with a tour of Sabrosa and the wine quintas of the Pinhão sub-region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who designed Casa de Mateus?

Casa de Mateus is attributed to Italian-born architect Nicolau Nasoni (1691–1773), who also designed the Clérigos Tower in Porto. Construction dates from the first half of the 18th century.

What is the connection between Casa de Mateus and Mateus Rosé wine?

In 1942, Fernando van Zeller Guedes obtained permission to use the image of the palace on the Mateus Rosé label. The wine became one of the world's best-sellers in the 1960s–70s, making the façade of Casa de Mateus globally recognisable.

Can I visit the inside of the palace?

Yes, the Fundação Casa de Mateus offers guided tours of the interior, including rooms with original furniture, tapestries, and sacred art. The gardens can be visited independently.