Starting and diversifying a vineyard business to a €4M profitable business 

Sophia will take you through the journey from initially selling grapes to Sandeman Port to producing their own port when EU regulations changed.

The realisation that they had to diversify their business and be the pioneers in their industry. From commercially producing wine from port grapes, an early adoptor in eco-tourism that has grown to see the addition of a small hotel, visitors centre and restaurant and the production of their own olive oil and starting their own micro beer brewing project all making the business the success it is today.

Do join the event to hear more of this exciting story and of course sample the wine during the post-talk drinks.

Event Schedule


17:15 – Registration opens
17:45 – Event starts
18:45 – Drinks reception
19:45 – Close

About the Speaker

Having graduated from Cambridge University and with an MBA from INSEAD, Sophia set up Quinta de la Rosa with her father, Tim, in 1988. Before 1988, Tim was growing grapes at Quinta de la Rosa and selling them to Sandemans to make into port. Using her experience from working as a management consultant at Booz Allen, Sophia helped launch La Rosa‘s ports onto the market and has developed a global network of importers. Thanks to a conversation with wine maker, David Baverstock, La Rosa was one of the first Douro producers to commercialise their red wines in 1990.

Sophia runs Quinta de la Rosa full time and spends a considerable amount of her life travelling around the world promoting the brand.

Her outside interests have included lecturing for the Wine MBA and University of Buckingham Entrepreneurs course. Sophia sat on the Council of the University of Buckingham for ten years. She is Patron of the charity Afghan Connection and advisor to Q Trust. Sophia is also Warden (Chair of Council) of Bradfield College and sits on Court at the Vintners Company in the City of London . She speaks English, French and Portuguese and is married with three children.

About the event 

The seminar is open for anyone to attend (over 18yrs only)

Registration is essential and spaces are limited and tickets are non-transferable.

Please note once the main room is full you will be directed to an overflow room, here you will be able to watch the live event, beamed from the main room, so please arrive early to avoid disappointment