Defio
Defio Wine was born from the collective vision of two remarkable women, Ana Sofia and Sara, each bringing unique perspectives from diverse corners of the wine industry. Sara, a trained winemaker and seasoned export manager for renowned producers, joins forces with Ana Sofia, a marketing expert who has made significant contributions to elevating the recognition of Portuguese wines. Their friendship, forged over years of intersecting paths at industry events, has now evolved into a shared mission: introducing innovative wines, styles, and wine products to the market.
The name "Defio," which signifies "challenge," aptly symbolizes the arduous yet rewarding journey Ana Sofia and Sara have undertaken to realize their joint dream. Anchored in their tagline, "Fruto De Amizade" (Fruits of Friendship), Defio Wine exemplifies their desire to create wines they love with people they cherish, meant to be enjoyed with friends.
While Defio Wine does not own vineyards or a winery, they have cultivated valuable relationships within the wine community. Their inaugural creation, the Baga "Clarete" in a can, featuring 24-hour skin contact, was crafted to their precise specifications under the vigilant guidance of Sergio Silva from Niepoort at Quinta do Baixo.
Their latest offering, Defio Pelicula Branco, was developed in collaboration with Rodrigo Martins of Espera Wines. The winemaking philosophy of Defio aligns seamlessly with the Nat'Cool movement, emphasizing organic grapes and minimal intervention. The result is a wine that embodies lightness, approachability, and sheer deliciousness.
Notably, Defio Wine proudly stands as the pioneer of premium natural canned wines in Portugal, pushing boundaries and challenging conventions to deliver exceptional vinous experiences to enthusiasts. Their dedication to innovation and commitment to crafting distinctive wines continues to drive their journey forward, enriching the world of Portuguese wines.
Sara & Ana - Owners
Sara Rodrigues e Matos is a leading figure in the Portuguese wine community, distinguished by her expertise as a certified educator, entrepreneur, and professional taster. She is the founder of The Wine House in Coimbra, a respected school where she serves as a WSET Certified Educator, offering internationally recognized wine courses. Sara has achieved the prestigious WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines (DipWSET), a testament to her advanced knowledge. Sara's commitment to the wine world extends to event organization and critical tasting. She is a co-organizer of the Glu Glu – Festival de Vinho in Coimbra, an event that celebrates small-scale, conscientious producers and aims to make wine culture accessible to all. Since 2023, she has also been lending her palate and judgment as an official taster for Revista de Vinhos, a prominent Portuguese wine publication. With a background in Enology and years of experience working with top producers like Luís Pato, Sara Rodrigues e Matos actively shapes the industry through education, innovation, and critical evaluation.
Ana Sofia de Oliveira is a highly experienced professional in wine marketing and communication, and the founder and managing owner of The Wine Agency. Since its creation in 2012, The Wine Agency, a consultancy specializing in Wine Marketing, Communication, PR, and Wine Events, has focused on creating innovative and creative strategies for clients including individual producers, regions, and countries. Prior to founding her own agency, Ana Sofia worked for nearly eight years as Area Manager and then Marketing and Communication Manager for Wines of Portugal. Her career in wine marketing and communication began in 2004, after moving to Lisbon from Paris, a move supported by her studies in Intercultural Communication. She has been noted for significant achievements in the field, including winning awards for Best PR Company of the Year and Best Generic Campaign from the International Wine Challenge. In addition to her consultancy work, Ana Sofia is also involved in other ventures, including co-founding My Genuine Portugal, an agency specializing in promoting genuine Portuguese products, and is active in projects like the ASI - Association de la Sommellerie Internationale. She is also a co-founder of Wines Unearthed, a platform that helps producers find distribution at international trade fairs
