Medronho Experience | Junior Jacques Distillery with Afonso Pereira

Medronho experience in Alentejo for anyone who wants to understand one of Portugal’s most authentic and time-honoured spirits from the inside out. At Junior Jacques, Afonso Pereira invites you into the world of medronho distillation through an intimate guided experience that moves from the art of the process to the origin of the fruit and concludes with a curated tasting of four products. This is more than a visit to a distillery. It is an invitation to connect with the land, the craft and the people behind every bottle.

The experience opens with an introduction to the art of distillation, walking you through the Junior Jacques process and the craftsmanship, precision and patience required to transform the medronho fruit into something genuinely exceptional. From there you move into the landscape itself, learning about the medronheiro tree, its role in the local ecosystem and the unique characteristics of its fruit that give this spirit its unmistakable identity. As you move through the space, Afonso shares the philosophy and story behind Junior Jacques, where a deep respect for tradition meets a contemporary vision rooted in the southwest Alentejo coast. The experience closes with a guided tasting of two medronho eaux-de-vie and two liqueurs, each revealing different nuances, profiles and possibilities of this extraordinary fruit.

What you’ll experience

🌿 An intimate introduction to the art of medronho distillation and the Junior Jacques process

🌿 A guided exploration of the medronheiro tree, its fruit and its role in the local ecosystem

🌿 An insight into the philosophy, methods and story behind Junior Jacques

🌿 A curated guided tasting of two medronho eaux-de-vie and two liqueurs

🌿 A genuine connection with the land, the craft and the people behind every bottle

What’s included

🍶 Full guided experience with Afonso Pereira throughout

🍶 Introduction to distillation and the Junior Jacques production process

🍶 Guided tasting of four products including two eaux-de-vie and two liqueurs

🍶 An intimate and unhurried exploration of one of Portugal’s most distinctive spirits

What you leave with

A deep understanding of medronho as a spirit, a genuine connection to the landscape and tradition it comes from, and four very good reasons to seek out a bottle of Junior Jacques.

I am Afonso Pereira, co-founder of Junior Jacques alongside Marieke. After years working in hospitality and community development across Africa and Latin America, we chose the southwest coast of Alentejo as the place to build something permanent and meaningful. The name Junior Jacques is a tribute to our grandfathers, Albano Pereira Júnior and Jacques Joaquim Guedes, from whom we inherited two essential passions: a fascination with the art of alchemy and a deep appreciation for the art of living well, for companionship, friendship and shared moments. Those values live in every bottle we produce.

Minimum of 4 paid participants required to confirm the booking. Children up to 16 years old do not pay. No prior knowledge of spirits or distillation needed.