In 1946, in the aftermath of World War II, Madeira was experiencing dark times. Wine production, once a source of pride for the island, had come to a near standstill, and many businesses were closing their doors, unable to overcome the challenges. It was in this difficult context that Mário Barbeito made a bold decision: to establish Vinhos Barbeito. Against all odds, he believed in the future and in the timeless value of great Madeira wine. He knew that time was this wine’s greatest ally, and that its value would only increase as it aged.

Mário Barbeito was in no rush. While his wines aged patiently, he focused on building the company with more modest Madeiras. He was a man who looked beyond the present, dreaming of a legacy that would outlast his time.

Decades later, his dream found continuity in the hands of his daughter, Manuela. In the 1970s, she began taking over the leadership of the company, keeping her father’s vision alive and strengthening the foundations he had laid. In the 1990s, Manuela passed the baton to her son, Ricardo Freitas. With deep respect for the classical roots of Madeira and renewed energy, Ricardo brought something more: innovation. One of his greatest ambitions was to restore Madeira wine to its former role as the perfect pairing at the table.

Today, Ricardo honors the legacy of his grandfather and mother, not only preserving wines for future generations but also forging his own path. Under his leadership, the “Signature Wines” series was born—a collection of Madeiras that blend classical tradition with an unwavering pursuit of purity and the true expression of vineyards and grape varieties. Produced in very small batches, these wines, with their singular elegance, have won over the world, leading British wine critic Jancis Robinson to dub Barbeito the “Lafite of Madeira.”

The story of Vinhos Barbeito is not just that of a wine company. It is the story of a family that believed in the power of time, in quality, and in tradition, yet never stopped daring to dream of something greater.