Meet the Winemaker
Luis Lourenço
Quinta dos Roques
Leitao is delighted to present a series of prix fixe 4 course dinner and wine pairing events, offering guests the rare opportunity to meet renowned winemakers behind some of Portugal’s finest wines paired with a bespoke menu from Chef Nuno Sousa.
Tuesday April 29th 8:00 to 11:00pm.
$180 tax & tip included
Meet the Winemaker Dinners at Leitao
These exclusive gatherings will be hosted in Leitao’s intimate cellar space, allowing guests unparalleled access to the winemakers in a truly unique setting.
Chef Nuno Sousa will craft a bespoke menu for each event, thoughtfully designed to complement and enhance the distinctive flavors of the featured wines.
Tickets are non-refundable; however, if you provide at least two weeks’ notice before the event, we can reschedule your booking for a future date. In the case of a medical or other emergency less than two weeks before the event, we may offer a 50% refund in the form of an e-gift card that may be used to dine with us, evaluated on a case-by-case basis. In the event of a no-show, neither refunds, gift card nor rescheduling will be provided.
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Luis Lourenço
Luís Lourenço is the visionary winemaker and owner of Quinta dos Roques, a prominent producer in Portugal’s Dão region, recognized for its traditional blends and innovative single-varietal wines. Born in Santarém, 80 km from Lisbon, Luís earned a degree in Mathematics from the Faculty of Sciences in Lisbon. He married Maria Luisa Roque in 1985, and they have three children: José Luis (1987), Maria Luisa (1989), and Manuel Luis (1996).
Luís taught Mathematics from 1984 to 1994. In 1992, he was encouraged by his father-in-law to develop the family wine business at Quinta dos Roques. Balancing his teaching responsibilities, he pursued studies in Business Management, Viticulture, Oenology, and Marketing. In 1994, he fully committed to the winery, leaving teaching behind. Unlike mathematics, where 2+2 equals 4, winemaking often defies such simplicity. Intrigued by the complexities of blending Portuguese grape varieties, Luís pioneered the production of single varietal wines, particularly Encruzado and Touriga Nacional, achieving remarkable success, especially in international markets.
Quinta dos Roques
Quinta dos Roques, nestled in the charming hamlet of Abrunhosa do Mato between Mangualde and Nelas, embodies the vibrant spirit of a new era in the Dão region. For over a century, winemaking has been integral to this family estate, initially focused on household production. However, the 1980s marked a turning point, transitioning from traditional co-operative deliveries to a commitment to crafting high-quality Dão wines. This evolution prioritized the modernization of vineyards, employing cutting-edge techniques to cultivate the finest regional varieties on the estate’s granitic and schist soils.
Today, Quinta dos Roques spans approximately 35 hectares, with a focus on exceptional grape quality. Nearly 75% of the vineyards are dedicated to red varieties, including 40% Touriga Nacional, alongside Jaen, Alfrocheiro, Tinto Cão, and Tinta Roriz. The remaining 25% features white varieties, predominantly Encruzado (40%), along with Malvasia Fina, Bical, Cerceal, and Gouveio. The estate produces an average of 150,000 liters annually.
In 1996, Quinta dos Roques began producing varietal red wines, followed by the introduction of the white varietal Encruzado in 1998, fermented in new French oak barrels. These wines are crafted only when quality is deemed exceptional. Notably, in 2018, the Quinta dos Roques Encruzado was recognized by acclaimed wine critic Jancis Robinson in The Financial Times as one of the “10 Bottles I Thought Told the Story of the Transformation of Portuguese Wine over the Last 10 Years.” This accolade highlights the estate’s dedication to excellence and its significant role in the evolving landscape of Portuguese winemaking.
