Anselmo Mendes

Anselmo Mendes is simply put, one of Portugal's most revered winemakers, often referred to as "Mr. Alvarinho" for his pioneering work with this noble Portuguese grape variety. A native son of Monção, he hails from an agricultural family that dabbled in wine for household production in the prestigious Monção e Melgaço sub-region of Vinho Verde, the birthplace of the Alvarinho grape. After university studies in agronomy, he specialized in wine, studying in both Portugal and France and enjoying a rapidly rising reputation as one of the most sought-after consulting winemakers in Portugal. In 1998, he finally struck out on his own, producing his first own-label wines from his Quinta da Torre estate in Melgaço, which spans over 60 hectares of vineyards. He was the first to ferment Alvarinho in oak barrels, revive the ancient technique of skin contact (curtimenta), and produce single-vineyard wines, revolutionizing Portuguese wine production in the region. His focus on a bone-dry, mineral, serious, no-fizz style rocketed him to the top as Winemaker of the Year in Revista de Vinhos, Portugal's chief domestic wine publication. His iconic Parcela Única is considered one of Portugal's finest white wines, while his Muros de Melgaço and Contacto showcase the elegance and complexity achievable with Alvarinho. His recent partnership with Symington Family Estates through the Mendes & Symington joint venture demonstrates the international recognition of his exceptional work with Portugal's most noble white grape variety. With vineyards spanning from Vinho Verde to Alentejo, through Douro and Dão, Anselmo Mendes continues to be a benchmark in Portuguese winemaking, combining ancestral techniques with modern innovation.