Luis Pato is widely regarded as the person who put the wines of Bairrada on the world map. He started making wines in 1980, ten years after his father started bottling the first Bairrada wines, once the region was legally recognised.
He is a charismatic winemaker, who we like a lot, who makes wine combining science, technology and tradition. Bairrada is a region in between Porto and Lisbon, it produces very traditional Portuguese wines!
Also known as Fernao Pires, the Maria Gomes grape thrives in the sandier areas of Bairrada. This is from 35 year old vines, where an early, first pick goes towards Pato's fizz, and allows better ripening of the rest for this white cuvee.
The blend usually includes 10-15% Sercialinho in the mix, which really pulls together the gentler elements of the Maria Gomes. The result is a zesty, dry white with white stone fruit and lovely florals.