José Maria da Fonseca Auctions Rare Moscatel Wines

 In its 190th anniversary year, José Maria da Fonseca is releasing a limited-edition, commemorative Moscatel de Setúbal Superior 1924. Of the 190 numbered bottles produced, only 100 will be auctioned. As the oldest producer of Moscatel de Setúbal, José Maria da Fonseca has inherited a unique and unparalleled heritage of this generous wine. This century-old vintage, crafted using the same methods and techniques employed by the company at its founding in 1834, stands out for its quality and nobility.

The auction will take place on October 17th at the José Maria da Fonseca House Museum in Vila Nogueira de Azeitão. This limited and rare century-old wine has captivated wine experts, collectors, and those passionate about wine history and culture. To celebrate this unique release, the José Maria Fonseca House Museum is hosting a dinner in the winery, limited to 100 guests, before the auction. To attend the dinner and participate in the auction, which is being conducted by Palácio do Correio Velho, there is a fee of €100.

In addition to the 1924 vintage, the auction will feature 36 lots of other old vintages of Moscatel de Setúbal from years such as 1928, 1934, 1945, 1960, and 1962. Two of the final auction lots reflect the authenticity and history of this legacy: a commemorative Moscatel de Setúbal edition celebrating SL Benfica’s European Championship wins in 1961 and 1962, designed by Nuno Gama, and a bottle of the iconic Apótheose Bastardinho.

The sixth and seventh generations of the Soares Franco family came together to select the Moscatel that would best mark this celebration of nearly two centuries of history and tradition. From a vast array of options, they chose the Moscatel de Setúbal Superior 1924, which was classified with the most noble letter and stood out the most – the designation of “Superior”.

António Maria Soares Franco, Co-CEO of José Maria da Fonseca and a member of the 7th generation of the family, stated, “Holding this auction in our 190th anniversary year reinforces our company’s commitment to preserving the cultural and historical heritage of producing unique wines, with a particular focus on Moscatel de Setúbal. As inheritors of this heritage, we have a duty not only to preserve it but also to share it. Auctions provide a unique moment for sharing, interaction, and appreciation.”

José Maria da Fonseca possesses an unparalleled heritage of Moscatel de Setúbal, and with it, a great responsibility to preserve not only the collection of vintages that carefully age in the Adega dos Teares Velhos but also the cultural and historical heritage of Moscatel de Setúbal production. Part of this culture remains alive through the continuation of traditions such as the centuries-old tastings and classifications of each vintage, which are still marked in certain categories, sometimes by letters, sometimes by words, as well as through the José Maria da Fonseca Moscatel de Setúbal Auctions.

Begun in the 19th century, these auctions were frequent until the first half of the 20th century. After several decades of hiatus, the 6th generation of the family revived the tradition in 2008 with the release of the Moscatel Roxo Superior 1960. Following this return, releases took place in 2011 with the Moscatel de Setúbal Superior 1955, in 2014 with the Moscatel de Setúbal Superior 1911, and in 2018 with the Moscatel Roxo de Setúbal Superior 1918. For 2024, José Maria da Fonseca is immensely proud and honored to present a special commemorative edition with the Moscatel de Setúbal Superior 1924.

A catalog of all lots up for auction is available at: https://bit.ly/3XvMWVV