Pura Sede: A Gathering of Natural Wine Visionaries
This year's Pura Sede, a dedicated natural wine fair presented by Sips Berlin and LADIDADI Wines, will take place on March 29–30 at Duro de Matar, featuring an outstanding selection of both Portuguese and international producers. Attendees will have the opportunity to taste and discuss wines directly with the winemakers, gaining insight into their philosophies and techniques.
Producers to Watch: From Portugal to Italy
Among the standout Portuguese producers is Adega Belém, a boutique urban winery founded by Catarina and David inside a repurposed car repair shop in Lisbon’s Belém neighborhood. Their philosophy centers on minimal intervention and small-scale craftsmanship:
“Our passion is to create carefully crafted products made of healthy fruits grown in healthy vineyards. To get the best out of each grape, we embrace a minimal intervention approach to winemaking at an artisan scale. The results are vivacious, fruit- and terroir-centered wines with a delicious nose, mouth and finish.”
Also rooted in tradition is Quinta Vila Rachel, an estate where viticulture and art have been intertwined for over a century. Founded in the late 19th century by José Joaquim Teixeira Lopes, one of Portugal’s most celebrated sculptors, and his wife Rachel Pereira de Meirelles, the winery has remained in the hands of their descendants. Today, it is managed by Tiago Cartageno, a member of the Barros Cartageno family, known for producing Port since the 18th century.
Located in São Mamede de Ribatua, in the Cima Corgo subregion of the Douro Valley, Quinta Vila Rachel has long produced grapes for both Port and table wines. The estate’s historic main house, designed by José Teixeira Lopes, stands as a testament to the artistic heritage of the family, filled with sculptures by António Teixeira Lopes, a winner of the Grand Prix at the Paris Salon in 1900. The winery continues to honor its legacy by producing wines using artisanal, organic methods that capture the essence of the Douro terroir.
On a more experimental note, Absurdo takes a contemporary and nomadic approach to winemaking. The project was founded by a diverse team—winemaker Ricardo, manager Clara, linguist Roberta, and psychologist Luís—all united by a deep passion for the Alentejo region.
“Absurdo, because we want to continue showing the world that Alentejo is a fantastic wine region, still with much to reveal. Absurdo, because despite not owning vineyards or a winery, we have the passion, the will, and the desire to deepen our knowledge. Absurdo, because we have the freedom to roam Alentejo from north to south in search of grapes that allow us to offer this mix of warmth and freshness, maturity and innocence, tradition and modernity.”
Their minimalist, boutique wines reflect both tradition and innovation, embracing a sense of freedom in winemaking.
From Italy, Tenuta L’Armonia takes an equally unconventional approach. Founded by Andrea, a self-taught winemaker shaped by apprenticeships in France and Italy, the winery focuses on blends and cuvées, believing that combining different grapes is the key to creating wines with complexity and personality.
Andrea describes himself as a “Wine Chef”, approaching winemaking with the creativity of a culinary artist. His team follows strict ethical production methods, avoiding selected yeasts, clarifying agents, and stabilizers, and minimizing the use of sulfites—only when absolutely necessary.
“Every grape and every process is an ingredient to be combined with creativity and vision.”
From France, La Graine Sauvage is another standout at this year’s festival. A female-fronted natural wine domain, it is run by Sybil Baldassarre in Cabrerolles, Languedoc, where she cultivates around three hectares of regional grape varieties, including Vermentino, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Grenache Blanc. Known for her commitment to organic viticulture and low-intervention winemaking, Baldassarre produces highly sought-after wines such as Rutz and Rocalhàs, which showcase the rugged beauty of Languedoc’s terroir.
Beyond the Glass: A Celebration of Craft and Conversation
Beyond Adega Belém, Quinta Vila Rachel, Absurdo, Tenuta L’Armonia, and La Graine Sauvage, the festival will feature producers such as Barroca da Malhada and Curativinho from Portugal, alongside international names like Spain’s Pepin, Hungary’s Hegyem, and Italy’s Dalle Ore Società Agricola.
Throughout the event, guests can pair their tastings with food from partner restaurants, making it a full sensory experience.
Tickets are available online, with daily entry priced at €15 for industry professionals and €20 for the general public, while two-day passes cost €25 and €35, respectively.
For those looking to deepen their understanding of natural wine, Pura Sede is more than just a tasting event—it’s a meeting of minds, a showcase of craftsmanship, and a glimpse into the future of sustainable winemaking.
Cheers!
