Filipa Pato

Filipa Pato’s family has been producing wine in Beiras since the 18th century. Her grandfather, João, was the first to bottle wine in Bairrada DOC after it was officially demarcated as an appellation, and her father, Luis, is credited with bringing Bairrada back to life as a viable and vibrant wine region. Filipa grew up immersed in the wine, vineyards and culture of her family, influenced by the terroir-driven wines of her father ‘the Baga rebel’, and one of Portugal’s legendary winemakers.

Passion for the traditional indigenous grape varietals of Bairrada led Filipa to start her own project in 2001. Together with her husband William Wouters, a Belgian sommelier and restaurateur, they farm 12 hectares of vineyards scattered across Bairrada. Their philosophy is simple: to create authentic wines without makeup, wines that express the true nature of the vineyards from which they come. They focus on indigenous grapes and produce soulful wines from vineyards with ideal soils, microclimates and aspects for growing exquisite wine grapes.

In the cellar they gently handle the grapes, practicing minimal intervention guarded by strict monitoring of the wine to allow the grapes to express themselves fully. The ultimate outcome is the creation of terroir-driven wines through the uniting of knowledge, art, and nature.