Pedro
Founder of Grape Essence
I was born and raised in the Douro Valley, where wine, hospitality and the rhythm of the river shaped my life. From a young age I learned the language of service in family restaurants and local inns, and that early immersion became the foundation of everything I do today. I bring a human, hands on approach to every experience: clear communication, genuine care, and an instinct for creating moments that stay with you.
My journey
My professional path led me through the valley’s kitchens, cellars and dining rooms. I served as Head Sommelier and Restaurant Manager at some of the Douro’s most respected establishments, and I spent years training hospitality teams and mentoring young sommeliers. Those roles taught me discipline, attention to detail and how to tell the story behind a bottle so it resonates with people — not just with facts, but with feeling. To complement practical experience, I earned the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines with Merit and completed classical training at the Portuguese Tourism Institute. For the past six years I have focused on designing and guiding specialized wine tours for international travelers, turning local knowledge and producer relationships into carefully crafted itineraries.
What I offer?
I lead personalized, sommelier led journeys across the Douro and other Portuguese wine regions. Each experience is tailored to the group and the moment: private visits to top producers, intimate tastings of selected wines, and pairings chosen to reveal terroir, tradition and technique. My tours are practical and polished, but always warm and human — built around conversation, discovery and the pleasure of good company.
- 25+ years working in hospitality across the Douro Valley
- WSET Level 2 with Merit
- Classical training from the Portuguese Tourism Institute
- Former Head Sommelier, Restaurant Manager, and hospitality trainer
- 6 years designing and guiding specialized wine tours for international guests
Why book with me?
I know the Douro from the inside out: the producers, the vineyards, the small decisions in the cellar that make a wine sing. I have long, trusted relationships with many of the region’s leading winemakers, which gives my guests access to authentic moments and wines that are often not on the usual routes. I sweat the details so you don’t have to — logistics, timing, food pairings and the right pace for tasting — and I do it with warmth and respect. My promise is simple: you will leave inspired, eager to return, and with memories that come back every time you taste a wine. This is not a corporate tour. It’s a personal invitation from me — a local sommelier who loves this place and wants to share it with people who care about wine, story and authenticity. Discover the Douro Valley with someone who cares about every detail. You’ll leave inspired, already longing to return, and with the promise that every time you taste a wine, you’ll remember this experience.