Last weekend, I had the pleasure of visiting the "Simplesmente Vinhos" wine fair in Porto. Accompanied by Thomas Vetter from Sardinenbar.berlin and our mutual friend Andrej, who captured some wonderful snapshots with his camera, I immersed myself in the diverse world of Portuguese wines.
Simplesmente Vinho: The fair for authentic wines
"Simplesmente Vinho" (Simply Wine) is one of the most important natural wine fairs in Portugal and has established itself as a significant platform for winemakers producing authentic wines with minimal intervention. Held annually in Porto, the event brings together small, independent producers to showcase their artisanal wines.
Unlike large commercial wine fairs, the philosophy of natural viticulture takes center stage here: organically or biodynamically grown grapes, spontaneous fermentation with natural yeasts, minimal use of sulfites, and no artificial additives. The intimate atmosphere allows for direct contact with the winemakers and authentic insight into their work and vision.
This year, the fair took place in a historic building in the heart of Porto – the perfect setting to experience the diversity and quality of Portuguese natural wines and to connect with the passionate people behind these unique wines.
Vinhos Desviso: A promising new partner
Our first visit took us to Vinhos Desviso, a winery we'll soon be collaborating with. This small, family-run project is located about 50 minutes north of Lisbon and is run by Scott and Marta. Their focus is on fresh, elegant, minimal-intervention wines that reflect their personal experiences and their shared journey.
Although Vinhos Desviso only harvested its first crop in 2022, its wines already impress with their character and quality. The grapes are harvested exclusively by hand and carefully selected. In the cellar, they rely on natural fermentation without fining or filtering – always with great respect for the land and its produce. This creates an authentic expression of terroir and philosophy in each of their wines.
From barrel to barrel: Visit to esteemed winemakers
After Vinhos Desviso, our journey took us to other valued partners: We tasted wines straight from the barrel at Constantino Ramos , visited Luis Lopes of Moreish , and Tiago Sampaio of Uívo . Between these stops, we also discovered some promising new wineries – I'll report on them in a separate blog post.
The fair and beyond
Friday morning, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., was reserved exclusively for trade visitors—an ideal opportunity for in-depth discussions and focused tasting. When the fair finally opened to the public, it became significantly busier and livelier.
After our visit to the trade fair, we fortified ourselves with lunch at the Mercado do Bolhão before enjoying coffee at the legendary Café Majestic. Afterwards, we went to the Pálacio da Bolsa to meet Oscar Quevedo at the "Essência do Vinho" wine fair. We were very proud to witness Quevedo being named "Best Port Wine Producer 2024" there – an extraordinary achievement and a special moment for us as the exclusive Berlin importers of his outstanding port wines. This award once again confirms the exceptional quality of his products and our wise decision to bring his wines to Berlin.
Explore Porto and enjoy a culinary finale
We used the late afternoon for a short stroll through the city: We crossed the famous Luís I Bridge and strolled down to Vila Nova de Gaia, where we enjoyed a refreshing Superbock beer on a terrace. Although we were feeling tired after the eventful day, one more highlight awaited us: dinner at Márcio Lopes , from whom we already import various Vinho Verde, Douro wines, and Pét-Nats.
Day 2: New discoveries and highlights
After a classic Portuguese breakfast with Galão, Sumo de Laranja and Tosta Mista, we were back at the gates of the trade fair at 10 a.m. sharp on Saturday, ready for more exciting discoveries.
RPM Wines & Spirits: Our new partner with exceptional natural wines
Our first stop on the second day was RPM Wines & Spirits – and I have to admit, this was my personal highlight of the entire fair. I'm delighted to announce that we have gained RPM as a new partner for our portfolio! The project is a fascinating collaboration between Ricardo Moreira, José Roseira, and Daniel Pires. They produce five wines and a pet-nat – all natural wines of impressive quality, which we will soon be offering in Berlin.
RPM is committed to reviving winemaking traditions at an old quinta in the lower Tâmega, about ten kilometers from the Douro River, in the transition zone between the Vinho Verde and Douro wine regions. On a south-facing slope, sheltered from north winds, the vines benefit from mineral-rich granite soil fed by the Verín-Chaves-Vidago hydrothermal system.
The vines at the higher elevations, over 60 years old, include various indigenous grape varieties, predominant among them Arinto. The grapes are traditionally foot-trodden and macerated in 250-year-old granite lagares. Fermentation takes place in concrete tanks with minimal intervention – always with the goal of preserving the unique character of the grapes and the terroir.
Quinta da Livração, where the grapes for RPM are grown, has been in the José Roseira family since 1935. Of the total eleven hectares, four are dedicated to viticulture, complemented by three hectares of forest and various small organic crops. José Roseira, a writer by profession with close ties to contemporary art, met winemaker Ricardo Moreira through Daniel Pires (director of the cultural intervention space Maus Hábitos). After the winery's last traditional wine production in 2013, they began restoring the vineyards to produce wines that would delight both in their first and eleventh year.
Gardunha Sul: Tradition meets innovation – another new addition
It is with equal excitement that I announce Gardunha Sul as the second new addition to our portfolio! This remarkable project was officially launched in 2021 by André Duque Lourenço. As a classically trained oenologist with extensive experience in the conventional wine industry, he decided to return to his roots and produce straightforward, authentic wines without any pretensions or artifice. His characterful creations will soon find their way to Berlin and enrich our range of Portuguese natural wines.
For his project, he chose the Beira Interior region, specifically Cova da Beira in the heart of Beira Baixa—an area characterized by diverse fruit production, for which he has always had a particular passion. The majesty of the surrounding mountains seems to protect and reinforce his dream.
Gardunha Sul is dedicated to a special mission: to rediscover and save the old vineyards threatened by rural exodus. Currently still tended by the few remaining elderly people, these vineyards harbor ancient secrets and strong personalities. The project works with local farmers to reverse the abandonment of vineyards and secure high-quality grapes – at fair prices that honor the work and dedication of these people.
After these impressive tastings, our visit to the fair was over, and we set off on foot to Matosinhos to conclude our wine adventure in Porto.
An intensive but incredibly enriching weekend that impressively demonstrated the diversity and quality of Portuguese natural wines and sent us back to Berlin with valuable contacts and impressions.
