Webshop › Winery › Madeira › H.M. Borges

H.M. Borges | Madeira

H.M. Borges is one of the most historic and respected Madeira wine houses on the island, with roots dating back to 1877. The company was founded by Henrique Menezes Borges, a merchant who devoted his entire life to selecting the finest wines produced on the island of Madeira, with the aim of ageing and storing them. Today, the company is still run by the fourth generation of the family, currently represented by cousins Helena and Isabel Borges, who honour the traditions of their ancestors.

Location and history of the house

The house is based in the heart of Funchal, the capital of the island of Madeira. Interestingly, H.M. Borges was not originally located at its current site, but closer to the centre, near the well-known "Mercado dos Lavradores" market. That location, however, did not have the necessary facilities to take on the role of an exporter. In 1924, the company moved to its current premises, after which it developed into a producer and exporter of Madeira wine. The building itself, which originally served as a flour mill, was adapted for the wine industry while retaining its original architectural features. The building covers around 1,600 square metres and is regarded as a century-old heritage building of the city of Funchal.

In addition to the main H.M. Borges name, the company also manages other historic brands. "Adega Exportadora de Vinhos da Madeira" is a brand associated with H.M. Borges, founded on 17 October 1935, focused on the commercialisation and export of younger Madeira wines while preserving the traditional image of Madeira wine. There is also "Araújo, Henriques & Cª", a brand founded on 11 August 1923, with the same export-driven mission.

Production and style

H.M. Borges is one of only eight remaining Madeira wine houses on the island, a group made up of both family businesses and larger international producers. The house produces around 200,000 bottles a year, with a permanent range of 3-, 5-, 10- and 15-year-old Madeira wines. Production uses the classic Madeira grape varieties: Sercial, Verdelho, Boal, Malvasia and Tinta Negra — each associated with a specific level of sweetness, from dry to very sweet. The grapes are sourced from small producers on the island with whom the family has built relationships over generations, coming from sites located between 100 and 800 metres above sea level, on volcanic and clay soils, and entirely hand-pruned and hand-harvested.

The house is known for its traditional "canteiro" ageing process, in which the heat and sun on the building help to warm the wine in oak casks, starting on the upper floors of the three-storey building. This natural, slow oxidative ageing is characteristic of the highest quality category of Madeira wines.

Reputation

The house's young wines, particularly the dry and medium-dry 3-year-old versions, are especially popular in the bars and cafés of Funchal. As the wines age — 5, 10 and eventually 15 years — they gain greater depth and a more pronounced oak influence. Visitors to the cellars in Funchal generally praise the quality of the guided tours and tastings, as well as the welcoming, family atmosphere of the house.

H.M. Borges is an authentic, family-run Madeira house with almost 150 years of experience, combining tradition with a consistent commitment to quality — a strong reference within the small circle of Madeira bottlers.

Display

Easy

Detailed

Photo only

List

List without photos

Sort

Name

Date

Price Ascending

Price Descending