A quick survey of Lisbon’s shops, restaurants, bars and markets reveals a deeply-rooted local wine culture with a mind-boggling array of choices. The Portuguese are some of the world’s most prolific wine makers and drinkers; you could say wine is in the blood here. Beyond fizzy vinho verde, pitchers of nameless house wines at the neighborhood tasca and mass-produced bottles for export – all perfectly drinkable, mind you – lies a lesser-explored world of independent winemakers swimming against the flood of products made for the mass market. And behind each of these bottles is the unique story of a winemaker with a vision. This is the world we will be exploring with our Lisbon Wine Club, whose only membership requirements are an enthusiasm for wine and food, an appreciation for those who make it, and approaching the subject with curiosity and zero pretension. With each gathering, we will have the chance to meet a different independent winemaker in an informal small-group setting. As we work through a tasting of several wines accompanied by delicious food pairings, we’ll get the deep backstory on the wine, the region it comes from and the winemaker, too. By the end of this gathering, you’ll know your mourisco from your ramisco and you’ll probably want to completely restock your home cellar. But, perhaps more importantly, you’ll connect with the local producers that will make this possible. At this event, the spotlight is on the work of António Marques da Cruz, producer and winemaker behind some of the most interesting wines in the Leiria region, in Quinta da Serradinha. A family owned winery located in the limestones slopes of Serra d’Aire, Serradinha benefits from the mild climate from the Ocean to produce wines with refreshing minerality and good aging potential. The vineyards started to have organic farming in 1978 and certification since 1994, one the first in Portugal. António is the fifth generation taking care of Quinta da Serradinha, bringing to life wines that tell the story of this special land. We will be tasting four different wines: Baga 2020, Castelão e Outras 2024, Arinto e Fernão Pires 2024 and the Espumante Rosé 2023, a sparkling wine made from Touriga Nacional and Castelão, which will be perfect to say hello to the summer. There will be delicious snacks to pair with these four wonderful wines.

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