Meet the Winemaker
Luis Sottomayor
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, Nov. 11th 8:00 to 11:00pm.
$160 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 Sottomayor
When in 1989 he entered the winemaking team led by master Fernando Nicolau de Almeida, Luís Sottomayor knew he was in the right company to take part in making the finest wines of the Douro. Today, his skills recognized, and the quality of his work proven, he heads the Oenology team for Casa Ferreirinha, Legado and all Sogrape Port Wine brands, a responsibility he assumed in 2007. His commitment to Douro and Port Wines is unquestionable and had so far seen him awarded the 2010 Winemaker of the Year Award in the Fortified Wines category by Revista de Vinhos, one of the nation’s most prestigious wine publications. Named Winemaker of the Year by Revista de Vinhos in 2012 and 2017, Luís was also nominated in this category at 2012 International Wine Challenge. At the 2022 edition of this well-known competition, he won the ultimate award for Fortified Winemaker of the Year. Author of world-famous wines such as Barca-Velha and Quinta da Leda, and of the outstanding 2011 Vintages presented by both Ferreira and Sandeman, Luís expresses great pride in the opportunity he has been given to perpetuate a story without parallel in the world of wines, whilst highlighting the creativity and daring and of those who first set out, unaided by the technological advances of today, to produce wines of a time-defying excellence. Born in Moreira da Maia, married and a father of three children, Luís Sottomayor has a full academic training that includes courses in oenology from the University of Dijon in Burgundy, France and Charles Sturt University, Australia, in addition to a post-graduate course in OEnology at the Escola Superior de Biotecnologia from Universidade Católica do Porto. Arguing that the secret of great wines rests on the passion of those who write their history in the vineyards and cellars, Luís likes to emphasize the effort made at Sogrape Vinhos to preserve and enhance the legacy inherited from large and prestigious brands, by combining the values of tradition with emerging desires and trends for the future. An avowed football supporter, Luís Sottomayor devotes some of his leisure time to rugby, horse-riding, and hunting.
Casa Ferreirinha
The pioneer brand and leader in non-fortified Douro wines, with a history of more than 250 years, always in family hands. Knowledge and excellence are just some of the things that make Casa Ferreirinha a benchmark in the world of wines. Their flagship vineyard, Quinta da Leda, lies in the Douro Superior and has been a cornerstone of excellence since its acquisition in 1979. It is the birthplace of some of Portugal’s most iconic red wines, including Barca-Velha, Reserva Especial, Quinta da Leda, and Callabriga. Spanning 158 hectares, the estate is primarily planted with Touriga Nacional—boasting an extraordinary collection of 197 clones—alongside Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, and Tinto Cão. These vineyards yield wines of remarkable complexity, structure, and elegance, always marked by freshness and vitality. Leda is also a hub for innovation, with dedicated research areas focused on biodiversity and the sustainable management of vine water stress, ensuring the legacy of Douro wine making continues to evolve with purpose and precision.
Casa Ferreirinha Social Media Bullet Points
Quinta da Leda, Casa Ferreirinha’s flagship vineyard since 1979, rooted in the heart of the Douro Superior.
Birthplace of legends like Barca-Velha, Quinta da Leda, and Callabriga.
158 hectares of vineyards dedicated to Douro’s finest: Touriga Nacional (with 197 clones!), Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, and Tinto Cão.
Wines of power and elegance — complex, structured, and always vibrant.
Innovation thrives here with research in biodiversity and vine water stress management.
