2021 · Rosa Duck

Joao Pato, also known as Duckman, is a family-run project in Portugal’s Bairrada/Beira area, rooted in the Pato family’s winemaking legacy. Maria Pato, daughter of noted Baga champion Luis Pato, created the playful Duckman label, combining a rebellious spirit with strong regional identity. The family works vineyards near the Atlantic and farms sustainably, with notes citing certified sustainable practices in some holdings, no herbicides or pesticides, and attention to biodiversity. Across the project, winemaking is described as low-intervention, with approaches including traditional-method sparkling, spontaneous fermentations, and some wines made without fining or filtration. Overall, Joao Pato stands out as a small, artisanal family producer balancing experimentation with Bairrada heritage.