Crafted in Portugal, Costa Nova offers fine stoneware that unites timeless design with exceptional durability. With a deep commitment to sustainability and artisanal finishing, its collections bring a touch of authentic Portuguese character to the modern table.
On the Portuguese coast lies Costa Nova, a fishing village that provides both the name and the ethos for a brand of stoneware built on the values of family, friendship, and the shared moments that happen around a table. COSTA NOVA creates tableware that is not just functional, but designed to be part of everyday life, bringing a sense of Portuguese heritage to homes across the world.
The brand’s origins trace back to Grestel, a ceramics factory established in 1998 in the nearby town of Vagos by founders Miguel Casal and Rui Batel. Combining Casal’s commercial and design focus with Batel’s production expertise, they initially built a reputation as a high-quality manufacturer for major international brands. This experience provided a strong foundation in the craft, but the founders had a larger ambition. In 2005, they made a strategic shift, launching COSTA NOVA to build their own brand and share a distinctively Portuguese story with a global audience.
The quality of each piece is rooted in its material and the production method used. Using a proprietary blend of the finest natural clays sourced from Portugal, COSTA NOVA employs a single-firing system, heating the stoneware to a high temperature of 1180°C. This process creates a fully vitrified product, resulting in an exceptionally durable surface that is highly resistant to both mechanical and thermal shocks. While the company’s four factories use modern technology, traditional craftsmanship remains a core component of production. Every item is hand-finished, a crucial step that gives each piece its own distinct character. These slight variations are not considered defects, but marks of authenticity.
This unique character finds expression across a diverse range of collections, each telling a story of place and inspiration. The celebrated Pearl collection, for instance, draws on the elegance of 18th-century European ceramics, its signature beaded edge adding a touch of timeless grace that feels both classic and contemporary. In contrast, the Brisa collection captures the essence of the Portuguese coast, its design evoking the serene landscapes of coastal lagoons, canals, and sandy beaches. Through these thoughtful designs, the brand translates the beauty of its heritage into forms that are both beautiful and deeply resonant.
This balance of durability and design makes the collections exceptionally versatile, intended to move from the oven to the table and withstand the demands of daily use. This practical approach is guided by the consistent leadership of founder and CEO Miguel Casal, who has steered the company toward a future defined by both quality and responsibility.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the company’s commitment to sustainability. In partnership with the University of Aveiro, COSTA NOVA developed Ecogres®, a proprietary material that represents a significant step forward for the industry. This innovative clay body is composed of 99% recycled materials, reusing waste from its own operations and from neighboring industries. The 2023 inauguration of a factory dedicated entirely to Ecogres® production solidifies the brand’s position as a leader in sustainable manufacturing, demonstrating a tangible commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.
COSTA NOVA successfully combines the heritage of Portuguese ceramics with a forward-thinking approach to design and manufacturing. The brand tells a story of place, grounded in the technical excellence of its products and a clear vision for a more sustainable future. It is this thoughtful integration of tradition and innovation that makes COSTA NOVA a definitive example of contemporary Portuguese craft and a natural fit for The Portuguese List.
Explore the collections and discover tableware made for a lifetime of stories.
