D'Uva Portugal Wine Girls - Eight Portuguese Women on a Mission for Wine

“From the Grapes” - that’s the literal translation of “d'uva.” It’s an apt name for the eight Portuguese women known as the “D'Uva Portugal Wine Girls.” Together, they aim to make fine Portuguese wine known both in Portugal and worldwide.

The New Faces of Portuguese Wineries Are Women

It all started with a newspaper article for Portugal's most-read periodical, “Noticias Magazine.” In 2012, the magazine invited the eight women for an interview focusing on the new faces of the Portuguese wineries, and it turned out they were all women. During the cover shoot, they met for the first time and engaged in conversation. Individually, they had all tried to collaborate with other producers to promote top Portuguese wines.

Together for the Diversity and Quality of Portugal's Wines

Driven by the same goal, they decided to walk a common path to raise awareness of the diversity and quality of wines from across Portugal. Thus, the group “D'Uva Portugal Wine Girls” was formed in 2016 with eight founding members from the four wine regions of Porto, Douro, Alentejo, and Lisbon. Members include Catarina Vieira (Herdade do Rocim), Francisca van Zeller (Quinta Vale D. Maria), Luisa Amorim (Quinta Nova Nossa Senhora do Carmo), Rita Fino (Monte da Penha), Rita Nabeiro (mayor of Adega), Rita Cardoso Pinto (Quinta do Pinto), Maria Manuel Maia (Pocas Junior), and Mafalda Guedes (Herdade do Peso-Sogrape).

The First All-Female Producer Group

Since then, these eight women have shaken up the wine world in Portugal as the first all-female group of producers and enthusiasts. For the “D'Uva Portugal Wine Girls,” being women is a crucial factor in their mission regarding wine. They aim to reshape people’s expectations, as wine must engage with diverse anticipations; it should be surprising, unique, and interesting while maintaining a sense of consistency. The D'Uva Portugal Wine Girls believe they are unique women leading wine projects that carry a long history of consistent quality.

Professionals with a Passion for Portuguese Wine

All eight women are professionals who fervently love their wines. Each one reflects strong leadership and a profound commitment to their projects. All family businesses represented are at least second-generation players in the wine trade, with Quinta Vale D. Maria, owned by Francisca van Zeller, being in family possession for 15 generations.

Part of the Grand Wine Tradition of Portugal

The “D'Uva Portugal Wine Girls” see themselves as part of the rich wine tradition in Portugal, but also as the new generation promoting Portuguese wine. All women in the group are trained in wine and are eager to learn about international wine cultures. Many travel often and engage in the fiercely competitive global wine market, developing successful wine tourism projects and gaining recognition for Portuguese wines worldwide.

Diversity and Creativity in Wine Projects

Each member of the group comes from a unique background, contributing to the variety of wine projects. The “D'Uva Portugal Wine Girls” include oenologists, winemakers, and sales and marketing leaders. This diverse spectrum brings various perspectives to their collaboration, which the eight women see as advantageous for tapping into the global market, where they aim to present their wines in various creative ways.

Quality and Identity of Portuguese Wines

The D'Uva mission primarily targets Portugal and neighboring parts of Europe, but they also seek to showcase the quality and identity of Portuguese wines globally. They have identified the United States and Europe, especially the UK, Germany, and Switzerland, as their primary markets for promoting their wines. A significant hurdle arises from the difficulty in pronouncing Portuguese and the numerous variants, regions, and styles of Portuguese wine, making it challenging to define what "Portuguese Wine" can be as a brand.

Diversity of Grape Varieties and Climates as an Opportunity

The “D'Uva Portugal Wine Girls” regard diversity as an opportunity. Portugal is a small country with an incredible variety of grape varieties and microclimates. Almost every taste has a corresponding wine. Portugal produces Port wine and Madeira, two of the world's most renowned wines. Modern wines hail from Alentejo, while the Dao region produces fresher styles, the Douro is known for structured wines, Lisbon fosters Atlantic-influenced wines, while the Azores produce volcanic wines and the Vinho Verde showcases crisp, fresh offerings.

Focus on Traditional Viticulture Methods

Traditional production methods, like foot-treading in Douro or amphora fermentation in Alentejo, are still practiced. The “D'Uva Portugal Wine Girls” aim to highlight these and other traits that set Portuguese wine apart. Their focus lies on communicating their message effectively. They have increasingly turned to social media, viewing it as a new communication platform with growing influence. They find it fosters greater interaction and customer engagement compared to traditional media. Thus, they seek to connect with potential wine consumers and engage new demographics.

Awards for Their Fine Wines

Assisting their gentle campaign for Portuguese wine are the accolades their wineries regularly receive for their fine products. For instance, the Quinta Vale D. Maria 2016 made it to Wine Spectator's Top 100, and recent awards, such as the Quinta Vale D. Maria Vinha da Francisca Red 2018 at the “Portugal Wine Trophy 2021,” are invaluable for the “D'Uva Portugal Wine Girls” mission. Other group members frequently receive high scores from entities like Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator, and Wine Advocate. In 2016, Herdade do Peso -Sogrape Vinhos was named the world's best wine company for the second consecutive year.

Collaborative Wine Events

Since the formation of the association, the “D'Uva Portugal Wine Girls” have successfully advanced the promotion of their wines. Organizing wine events together has strengthened their sales through winery networking. The eight women continue to enjoy sharing ideas and viewpoints, forging new friendships within the group, and generating more than just sales. They are committed to enhancing Portugal's image through their wines and their unwavering passion and commitment to their mission.