Gruyère, Switzerland

João Pato, aka Duckman, is a character created as an homage to a long-gone relative. In reality, the person behind the mask is Luis Pato’s 2nd daughter, Mariana. If you are confused, that’s part of the fun of Duckman.

Making wines in the shadow of both her father, Luis Pato, and older sister Filipa Pato, Mariana sought to create her own distinct identity for Bairrada wines. She chose to do this by breaking every imaginable stereotype and creating labels as artistically personal as the wines inside. The labels are beyond whimsical and the Duckman character at times seems inscrutable and other-worldly.

However, the wines inside are very real. What you get are finely wrought, totally natural renditions of Bairrada wines. Bairrada is a coastal region, about two hours north of Lisbon. The area is marked by chalky and sandy soils, the ubiquitous red grape Baga, as well as white grapes Maria Gomes (Fernão Pires), Bical, and Cerceal.