Luis Pato

Luis Pato is the Bairrada's most important figure — both its greatest winemaker and its most tireless advocate in the face of regulatory obstruction. In 1991 he was excluded from the Bairrada DOC after choosing not to add Touriga Nacional (a non-local variety required by DOC rules). He continued producing under Vinho Regional designation for a decade — a principled stand that ultimately forced the DOC to revise its rules. Pato's single-vineyard Baga wines (Quinta do Ribeirinho Pé Franco — own-rooted, pre-phylloxera; Vinha Pan; Vinha Formal) demonstrate Bairrada's capacity to produce age-worthy reds of 30-50 year cellaring potential.

Bairrada's most important producer — Pé Franco (own-rooted) is one of Portugal's great age-worthy reds. Essential reference for any serious Portuguese wine programme. Specialist import.