So what’s more dramatic and intriguing—the breathtaking views of the Douro Valley, or Alvaro (Alvaro Martinho Lopez), known for his playful spirit and one-of-a-kind approach? As our tour booklet put it: “Alvaro has been a viticulturist in the Douro for 25 years, a winemaker for 10, and a passionate philosopher his whole life.” This mischievous genius planted 37 different grape varieties(!) in a single plot.
Go ahead—try pitching that to a winery in the US, Europe, or… wherever you like. And what ends up in your glass? Well, for example: the Mafarrico Tinto (“Cheeky Red”) blend, made from just 5 of those grape varieties—Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão, Touriga Franca, Tinta Amarela, and Tinta Barroca—was bottled by Alvaro without a second thought. Two professional tasters gave it 85 points. What does that mean to him? Absolutely nothing.
He makes his wine—period. To most of the world, that would mean a good entry-level wine.
So yes—maybe the peak of mischief we encountered on this tour casually delivered medium quality right to our lips. But of course, that’s not the whole story.
What did Alvaro show us out there in the vines? A laser focus on pure, unfiltered terroir centered on the holy trinity: vine – soil – climate. The climate, even for this top-tier trickster, is out of his hands.
But the soil and the vine? Those, he says and preaches, must be served. Served.
Not manipulated. Not forced. Not irrigated. Not stressed on purpose. Not “played” with. No need to control nature, just to serve it.
It’s on this solid, no-nonsense foundation that Alvaro delivers his gospel, like the gentlest, most charismatic preacher you’ve ever met. For me at least, it was irresistible.
