Hugo Mendes - The Wizard Apprentice | Lisboa

By the time Hugo Mendes, a.k.a. ‘The Wizard Apprentice,’ graduated in Biotechnology Engineering in 2005, he had fallen hopelessly in love with wine. The same year, he joined Quinta da Murta in Portugal’s Arinto epicentre, Bucelas in Lisboa. Learning on the job, by 2010 Hugo had worked his way up from cellar rat to Head Winemaker and made a name for himself with his The Wizard Apprentice blog.

In 2016, after dedicating 11 years to crafting wines for others, Hugo decided it was time to pour his creativity into his own brand. With no grapes, no winery and minimal capital at his disposal, he embarked on an audacious journey. He rented a plot in a vineyard, sought the help of a friend’s winery and turned to crowdfunding to fund the bottling process, and successfully launched his debut vintage. The rest, as they say, is history. Hugo earned himself the nickname “The Wizard Apprentice,” and one sip of his wines will show you why.

His inaugural solo venture featured a captivating blend of Fernão Pires and Arinto whites from the 2016 harvest. In 2019, Hugo introduced the Castelao varietal, marking his first foray into red wine within the project. Since then, he has introduced a diverse range of wines, including this delightful Rosé from the Tejo Region.

In every bottle that bears his name, you’ll discover a journey filled with passion, dedication and a profound respect for the art of winemaking. It’s a testament to Hugo Mendes’ unwavering commitment to crafting wines that tell a unique and compelling story.