Some people are born into wine. Others are born for it. Mateus Nicolau de Almeida, it seems, was both. A fifth-generation winemaker from one of Portugal’s most iconic wine families, his roots run deep in Douro soil.
Together with his wife, the brilliant (and equally rebellious) winemaker Teresa Ameztoy, Mateus works out of a purpose-built winery they affectionately call Adega do Sável, named after the shad fish (Alosa alosa) that swims upstream to reproduce. A fitting symbol for a couple who’ve spent their lives pushing against the current.
Wine runs in their blood
Mateus’s grandfather, Fernando, created the legendary Barca Velha. His father, João, crafted the first Douro wine for Ramos Pinto. And Mateus carries this legacy on. In fact, Mateus was crowned the Reengage Winemaker 2016 and Young Winemaker of the Year 2014.
Teresa Ameztoy isn’t just along for the ride. She’s an internationally respected winemaker in her own right, and her influence is everywhere: in the elegance of the wines, the precision of the vineyard work, and the quiet confidence behind it all.
Mateus and Teresa don’t just make wine. They grow it, nurture it, listen to it. Working with organic and biodynamic principles, they let the land lead. No chemicals. No shortcuts. Just patience, instinct, and trust in the rhythms of nature. Their wines are a true reflection of the Douro: shaped by its terrain, its climate, and the quiet influence of time.
When pirates meet rebels
When we (Port O’Bristol) first met Mateus, something clicked. A flash of mad energy, a few shared bottles, and the inevitable scheming began. He and Anton immediately bonded over their shared distaste for the conventional. Before long, Adega do Sável had become the wine-soaked lovechild of two creative, stubborn, slightly unruly minds.
Sustainability isn’t just a checkbox
Sustainability is the foundation of everything they do. Blending traditional methods with organic and biodynamic practices, they work in harmony with the land, always respecting the soil and the surrounding ecosystem.
Their wines are born of careful, hands-on work, from vineyard to bottle, and reflect a deeper mission: to reveal the many faces of the Douro through thoughtful farming and experimental winemaking.
Pick Of The Month
One of their standout creations is M.N.A. “Curral Teles” Alfa Tinto 2021.
Curral Teles is the winery’s experimental cellar, where Mateus and Teresa explore the human influence on wine, from grape selection to ageing methods. Produced in small, non-annual batches, each wine is named after a Greek letter, paying tribute to the spirit of inquiry behind every experiment.
It’s best paired with roast meats, potatoes, and a light salad.
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