When the Ireland Portugal Business Network hosts its 4th Annual Tourism Conference on October 22 at TUMO Lisboa (Unicorn Factory), the day will end on a fittingly authentic note: a wine tasting led by Petra Bakker, founder of Vidavinho and an IPBN member who has made Portuguese wine both her passion and profession.

Petra’s path to becoming a respected wine educator began in Amsterdam, where her side job in restaurants grew into a role managing a Michelin-recognized restaurant’s 300+ wine list. “I had to make wine and food pairings and manage the wine list. I studied a lot of wine books and brought my knowledge to a professional level,” she recalls. Though her career later took her into marketing and technology, wine remained a calling. By 2011, she became a certified Vinologist and has been teaching and organizing tastings ever since.

In Portugal, Petra has turned that expertise into a full-time business. Through Vidavinho, she runs wine tastings and workshops in Cascais and Lisbon, often tailoring sessions for international groups. “The goal is always to give the international audience — expats and tourists — a better understanding of Portuguese wines,” she explains. Her events balance education and enjoyment, highlighting regions and grape varieties that go far beyond the familiar names of Douro and Vinho Verde.

Petra also runs the Cascais Wine Club, giving consumers access to wines usually reserved for restaurants, and is developing a consulting service to help restaurants design wine lists, train staff, and support wineries in their marketing. “I love how authentic Portuguese wines are, how close the winemakers are to their products and with how much pride and passion they work,” she says. “In my opinion the wines are undervalued internationally — the quality is often much higher than the pricing justifies.”

At the IPBN Tourism Conference, Petra will bring that passion and perspective to members and guests through a guided tasting that underscores the event’s theme: authentic experiences. As she puts it: “My focus allows me to dive into the world of Portuguese wines and get to know them at a detailed level. I hope I can contribute to creating a higher-valued reputation for Portuguese wines, based on their quality and authenticity over the full range.”

Don’t miss the chance to experience Petra’s expertise — and discover the depth of Portuguese wine — at the IPBN Tourism Conference on October 22. Register here!