History
t was the year of 1942 when the Cunha Martins founded União Comercial da Beira (UCB). Its founder was a hard-working and determined man, Alexandre Henriques Martins, born and raised in Beira, he passed on to his descendants not only this ambitious project, but also his commitment to tradition and his irrevocable passion for his work. His son, Fernando da Cunha Martins, managed the family business for a couple of years. But it was only later, in its third generation, with his granddaughter, Cristina Cunha Martins, that the company got a new image and launched new products.
In the 80’s, UCB bought Quinta do Cerrado, a mere 300 meters from its headquarters in Oliveirinha. When Cristina took over the family business, she knew very little about wine making, but she had all she needed: love and enthusiasm for the family legacy and an unwavering will to improve. And improve she did. In the 90’s, she led the transformation of the apple orchards into vineyards, where she chose to grow the main varieties of the region. Then came the cellar to keep up with the production. Finally came the creation of their brands, with elegant wines that still embodied the typical characteristics of Dão.