Next Gen, Next Pour: João Maria Portugal Ramos
- Angela Aiello
- Jul 28
- 4 min read
Next-Gen Winemaker. Nature Lover. Fresh Obsessed.
When you’re born into one of Portugal’s most iconic winemaking families (João Portugal Ramos), legacy is a given—but how do you remix that tradition? That’s where the real story begins.
Meet João Maria Portugal Ramos—the next-gen face of the Ramos wine dynasty and a rising tastemaker in his own right. Splitting his time between the vineyard rows of Alentejo and the creative pulse of Lisbon, João is redefining what it means to be young, stylish, and steeped in wine culture.
For João Maria, winemaking isn’t just a profession—it’s a way of life rooted in the rhythm of nature, the values of family, and the quiet joys that happen beyond the vineyard. He’s carved out a path that balances heritage with modernity, and precision with soul. But when asked what keeps him grounded, his answer isn’t about accolades or bottle scores—it’s about ducks, dirt, children, and crisp white wine.
A Life Lived by Nature
In a world that moves ever faster, João Maria’s lifestyle offers something deeply appealing: a return to the elemental. From duck hunting at sunrise and pruning vines by hand to parenting toddlers and preparing for a third child on the way, his days are shaped by nature’s rhythm and the values passed down through generations.
“If wine is a portal—to people, to land, to memory—I want to preserve the integrity of our traditions, respect the biodiversity Mother Nature offers us, and guide our winery into the future,” he shares.
Vila Santa: Heart of the Heritage
Nestled just outside Estremoz in Alentejo, Vila Santa Winery—which means “Holy Village”—is the flagship estate of João Portugal Ramos. With 600 hectares of owned and rented vineyards, Ramos family has a deep commitment to sustainability, this commitment blended with traditional winemaking methods like foot-crushing and marble lagares with cutting-edge precision. The result? Fruit-driven wines that radiate terroir and soul.
Visitors to Vila Santa can explore barrel-filled cellars, stroll through sun-soaked vines, and enjoy full tasting menus in the charming on-site restaurant—all set against panoramic countryside views and the silhouette of Estremoz castle.
From Alentejo to the World
João Maria’s role goes beyond winemaking—he’s the link between heritage, nature, and the next generation of wine lovers. His vision reaches far beyond Portugal’s borders, bringing Ramos wines to new audiences across Europe, North America, and beyond. His focus? Sustainability, storytelling, and staying relevant without losing soul.
His wines are equal parts tradition and trend: fresh reds with structure, expressive whites with verve, and everything rooted in clarity and expression. For winemaking he uses old-school lagares, neutral oak barrels and stainless steel tanks, each choice tailored to variety and terroir. Harvests are done early in the morning, with premium grapes hand-picked to preserve purity and freshness.
“White wines are more challenging in terms of winemaking, all details matter.” João explains.
A Love Affair with White Wine
While the Ramos family reds are internationally acclaimed, João Maria has a personal love for white wine. Crisp, complex, and quietly expressive, it’s the style he gravitates toward both as a winemaker and as a drinker.
His white wines reflect his philosophy: modern viticulture, precision harvesting, and a focus on vibrancy and natural balance. They're the kind of wines that pair as perfectly with wild duck as they do with oysters by the sea.
Family, Fatherhood, and Future
Amid the long days of harvest, international travel, and cellar tastings, João Maria is first and foremost a family man. A father of two with a third child on the way, he always makes time for the little things—playground runs, bedtime stories, and early-morning cuddles.
“Our business has a very strong link to family, after all our goal is to leave a nice company for the next generation and to motivate them to take part in this story, just like our father did with us.”
A Family Legacy, Reimagined
João’s father, João Portugal Ramos, is a legend in Portuguese wine—an agronomy graduate who began his career as a consultant and helped modernize Portuguese enology. His pioneering work earned him titles like Personality of the Year, Producer of the Year, and Winemaker of the Year, and helped put regions like Alentejo on the global wine map.
Today, João Maria builds on that foundation with a new lens: one that prioritizes freshness, elegance, and a deep respect for the land—while ensuring the wines feel current, creative, and completely drinkable.
Portugal in a Glass
Learning about Portuguese wines is like uncovering a beautifully kept secret—one that blends ancient tradition with bold innovation. With over 250 indigenous grape varieties and diverse terroirs stretching from the sun-drenched plains of Alentejo to the misty valleys of the Douro, Portugal offers a dynamic range of styles that are expressive, soulful, and packed with value.
João Maria emphasizes regional identity over single-varietal thinking, embracing the European tradition of blends.
“It’s much easier to understand Portuguese wine by learning the regions rather than the grapes,” he says. “Wine should be an everyday product—part of a lifestyle.”
Whether you’re sipping one of his vibrant whites at home, pouring a chilled red on a summer patio, or wandering the vines of Vila Santa on a golden afternoon, one thing is clear: João Maria Portugal Ramos is crafting wines—and a life—that honour the past while moving stylishly and soulfully into the future.