Douro Valley - Folias de Baco

Last October, we made the trek to a tucked-away winery perched high on the slopes of the Douro Valley. Staying on the south side of the Douro River meant that reaching the winery required one of the most breathtaking—and slightly nerve-wracking—45-minute drives of our lives. We descended from our rental house, weaving down winding roads that clung to the valley’s edge, then hugged the banks of the Douro, passing iconic Port houses along the way. Crossing the river, we began our ascent up the sun-drenched northern slopes, eventually arriving in a tiny village where tourists are a rarity.

At the heart of this village sits Folias de Baco, housed in a former wine cooperative building that now exclusively holds its own production. The space is airy, filled with stainless steel tanks, barrels, and amphorae—an intersection of tradition and innovation. This winery is the vision of Tiago Sampaio, a third-generation winegrower who set out to challenge the status quo. After earning a PhD in viticulture and enology, he returned home to the Douro, applying his deep knowledge to create a diverse portfolio of natural wines. His vineyards are farmed organically, and his winemaking philosophy is one of minimal intervention, allowing the land and grapes to speak for themselves.

What sets Folias de Baco apart is Tiago’s refusal to be bound by the Douro’s long-established winemaking traditions. The region is, of course, famous for its fortified wines, and even its dry wines tend to be rich, full-bodied, and high in alcohol. Tiago, however, has carved out a different path—one that embraces freshness, lower alcohol, and a more expressive, naturally fermented style. His wines are bright, vibrant, and dynamic, offering a striking contrast to the heavier, more structured reds typically associated with the Douro.

This kind of forward-thinking approach is what keeps a region alive. Respect for tradition is important, but growth comes from curiosity, from a willingness to see things differently. Tiago’s wines are proof that innovation and heritage don’t have to be at odds—they can coexist beautifully in a bottle.

We enjoyed these wines that we recently featured one in our Drink Better Wine Club.

Folias de Baco Wines We Love and Carry:

• Folias de Baco “Uivo” Vinhas Velhas Branco 2022 – A field blend of Viosinho, Gouveio, and Rabigato from 80-year-old vines, organically farmed and minimally handled in the cellar. Aged for 12 months in a mix of barrels and cement vats. Think ripe stone fruit, orange oil, and fresh fennel. $26

• Folias de Baco “Uivo” Vinhas Velhas Tinto 2019 – A soulful blend of over 20 native varieties from 70+-year-old vines, with Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, and Rufete taking center stage. Aged for 18 months in a mix of French oak and chestnut barrels, it bursts with red and black forest berries, savory spice, and a whisper of bone broth. $28

• Folias de Baco “Renegado” Red Pet-Nat – A wild, naturally made method ancestral wine that blurs the lines between red and white. A mix of organic red and white varieties, left unfiltered, undisgorged, and made without added yeast or sulfur. Tastes like blood orange, bitter strawberry, and grapefruit zest. $27

• Folias de Baco “Uivo” Curtido 2023 – A skin-contact Moscatel Galego from 40-year-old vines, macerated for four months. No added sulfur, no clarification, no filtration. A textural, aromatic wine with notes of rose petals, lychee, and tangerine. $24

The entire Folias de Baco lineup is excellent—wines that reflect the landscape in the purest way possible. They are honest, handmade, and deeply connected to the Douro, but with a fresh, contemporary spirit. A reminder that even in one of the world’s most historic wine regions, there’s always room for something new. ✨