Winemaker Spotlight: Filipa Pato

Every month we will be putting the spotlight on one of the amazing female winemakers that we work with and whose wines we pour at Nature’s Vin. For the first in this series, we are pleased to introduce you to Filipa Pato. Her Brut Nature and Extra Brut Rosé are both featured on our wines by the glass list. We know you’re going to fall in love with them just as much as we have.

A Legacy in Her DNA

Filipa Pato was born into winemaking greatness. As the daughter of Luis Pato and granddaughter of João Pato, two icons of Portuguese viticulture, you could say winemaking runs in her veins. But Filipa didn’t simply inherit a legacy—she chose to challenge and expand it.

After earning a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Coimbra, Filipa ventured far beyond her roots. She gained hands-on experience in some of the world’s most revered wine regions, including Bordeaux, Mendoza, and Margaret River. These international harvests honed her technical skills and deepened her belief in a terroir-driven, sustainable approach to winemaking.

A Vision of Purity and Place

Returning to her native Bairrada, Filipa brought with her a global perspective—but also a strong sense of place. Today, alongside her husband and business partner, sommelier William Wouters, she leads a movement toward biodynamic and sustainable viticulture in Portugal.

Her philosophy? Create “wines without makeup”—bottlings that are honest, soulful, and deeply expressive of the region’s unique terroir. She works primarily with indigenous grapes like Baga, Bical, and Arinto, using minimal intervention and biodynamic techniques that honor the land and its natural rhythms.

Breaking Ground—and Glass Ceilings

In 2020, Filipa made history as the first Portuguese woman in 30 years to be named “Winemaker of the Year” by Revista de Vinhos, a landmark recognition in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Her work has also earned the Robert Parker Green Emblem, an elite distinction awarded to wineries committed to environmental stewardship. In her vineyards, you’ll find everything from lunar cycle viticulture to pigs used for natural weed control—a testament to her innovative yet grounded approach.

The Soul of Bairrada, Bottled

Whether it’s a nuanced sparkling Baga or a textured white blend, Filipa Pato’s wines resonate with authenticity and soul. They are not only a reflection of Bairrada’s potential but also of what’s possible when tradition meets fearless innovation.