Since 1991 David Guimaraens has played a leading role in the production of the Fladgate Partnership’s wines and in the development of its wineries and vineyards. He represents the sixth generation of his family to be involved in making the company’s wines, following in the footsteps of his father, Bruce Guimaraens, the legendary winemaker responsible for the wines of Fonseca between 1961 and 1995.
David Guimaraens was born in Oporto, Portugal. After completing his schooling in Portugal and England, he spent time gaining hands-on winemaking experience in Australia, California and Oregon before undertaking formal education in enology at Roseworthy Agricultural College in South Australia.
After graduating, he remained in Australia to gain additional experience before returning to Portugal in 1990 to join the Taylor Fladgate and Fonseca winemaking teams.
As technical director and head winemaker of the Fladgate Partnership since 1991, Guimaraens is responsible for the group’s extensive wine inventories and for coordinating the work of the blending panel led by chief blender Natasha Bridge. Guimaraens also leads the team responsible for winemaking in the group’s wineries and on the Taylor Fladgate, Fonseca and Croft estates. The research and development work carried out under Guimaraens’ leadership has resulted in new vinification technology that has radically enhanced the quality of the wines made from the production of the group’s partner grape growers.
Guimaraens also works closely with the group’s head of viticulture, António Magalhães, one of the Douro’s most respected viticulturists and a world authority on mountain viticulture, in managing and developing the Taylor Fladgate, Fonseca and Croft vineyard estates. Together they have created an award-winning sustainable vineyard model that is set to become the standard for environmentally responsible viticulture in the Douro Valley.