In a year where competition was fierce, Pancas Reserva from WineStone Group made its mark by winning Wine of the Year – Portugal at the 2025 London Wine Competition. It’s a milestone that reflects not just the quality of a single wine but a deeper philosophy rooted in authenticity, careful growth, and sustainable values. Chairman Winemaker David Baverstock shares his insights on how the Winestone Group plans to build on this success without losing sight of what matters most: connection to land, community, and partners.

Image: Chairman Winemaker David Baverstock.

Congratulations on Pancas Reserva winning Wine of the Year – Portugal at the 2025 London Wine Competition! What does this recognition mean for Winestone Group and the Pancas label, and how do you plan to use it in your marketing and positioning?

We’re truly honoured. Winning Wine of the Year – Portugal at such a prestigious competition is not just an important step for Quinta de Pancas’s wines but a celebration of Portuguese winemaking. For WineStone Group, it affirms our commitment to excellence and terroir authenticity. From a marketing standpoint, this recognition will be central to our brand messaging throughout the year. We’re highlighting the award across digital campaigns, tasting events, and key trade shows. It’s a powerful tool for brand storytelling and for reinforcing consumer trust in quality.

Image: Pancas Reserva “Wine of the Year – Portugal” at the 2025 London Wine Competition.

Where is Pancas Reserva currently available, both in the UK and globally? Are you working with any key retail chains, online platforms, or restaurant groups, and are there any new markets you’re particularly excited about?

Quinta de Pancas is a fast-growing brand in the international markets, aligned with our strategy since WineStone Group was founded. I do believe this kind of accolade will promote a sustainable and value-creating growth for the brand and our partners across the globe. 

What sets Pancas Reserva apart – what makes this wine special? Can you share more about the grapes used, the winemaking approach, and how this wine reflects Portugal’s winemaking identity?

Pancas Reserva is a true expression of its terroir — elegant yet structured, intense yet fresh, with a lightness that adds vibrancy to its depth. It’s crafted mainly from Chardonnay, Arinto & Vital, sourced from old vines in the Lisboa region near the foothills of the Serra de Montejunto. Our approach focuses on minimal intervention, with aging in French oak barrels to enhance all the flavours without overshadowing the fruit. What makes it special is its balance — a clear, bright citrus colour and an expressive aroma, with floral and white-fleshed fruit notes, supported by the aromas of aging where toast and pine stand out.

Image: French oak barrels.

How does Winestone Group support its importers and distributors? What kind of sales and marketing tools or activations do you offer to help partners move stock?

WineStone’s commitment to our partners is solid. We nurture long-term commercial partnerships to build resilient and meaningful brands in every market we are active in. We make sure we have regular communication and market presence not only with our sales teams but with our winemakers to promote and train local teams towards successful brand development.

What broader marketing activities are you engaged in across your brands? Do you focus on digital, events, tastings, or any standout initiatives you’d like to highlight?

We're focused on digital, but we balance that with real-world engagement. Wine tastings, national and international wine fairs - Vinexpo or Prowein (example).

Can you tell us a bit more about Winestone Group as a company?  What connects the brands you represent, and what’s the group’s overarching mission?

WineStone Group brings together a portfolio of premium, terroir-driven wines from across Portugal and beyond. What unites our brands is a shared philosophy: authenticity, sustainability, and a deep respect for their origins.

Committed to producing the most admired brands from Portugal to the world, WineStone is creating the conditions to exceed consumers' expectations, through emotions. High-quality, consistent, and sustainable wines. The best that each region has to offer.

Are there any upcoming expansion plans or new developments we should be watching for – in terms of markets, channels, or portfolio?

WineStone’s DNA is of continued development and growth. This is visible not only in our brand’s performance but also in our daily commitment to our partners. The ultimate goal is to reach new heights and create value for all stakeholders while sharing some of the best wines produced in Portugal across the globe.

Image: Winestone Team (From L-R) Vasco Rosa Santos, David Baverstock, Mafalda Bahia Machado, Ana F.M. Pereira, Vasco Costa and Fransisco Garcia.

Where does sustainability fit into your business model?  Are there any practices or initiatives you're particularly proud of, either in the vineyard or across your operations?

We approach the future with innovation and a strong sense of purpose, guided by our company’s values and a deep commitment to sustainability. We believe both individuals and organizations play a key role in creating positive change, which is why we work closely with local communities to support regional development.

Across our production chain, we’ve taken concrete steps to reduce our environmental impact—like installing solar panels to power our facilities, measuring our carbon footprint, and shifting towards lightweight glass bottles throughout our portfolio. We’re also working to lower water consumption at our winery and use minimal irrigation based on soil water management.

This long-term commitment goes beyond the environment—it’s about building a business that’s sustainable socially and economically, too.

Image: Vineyards at Quinta de Pancas, Lisboa region.

Conclusion:

For WineStone Group, the London Wine Competition win is a meaningful validation — but not a finish line. With a deliberate approach to expansion, a grounded commitment to sustainable practices, and a focus on nurturing genuine partnerships, they’re setting a course for long-term impact. In a fast-moving global market, staying true to their origins may just be their most powerful strategy.

In conversation with Malvika Patel, Editor and VP, Beverage Trade Network

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