Back in June 2025, I spent a day with Rui Lucas, an innovative winemaker in Portugal’s Bairrada region, known for producing unique wines from intriguing vineyard blocks.
The winery’s name combines Rui’s surname with that of his great grandfather, José Francisco Prior, a priest who once cultivated vineyards in Souselas. Over the years, those vines were lost, but Rui is dedicated to recovering the old vineyards and creating exceptional wines. He embarked on this journey in 2013, gradually expanding his operation, albeit on a scale that remains relatively modest.
Rui’s background is in construction, which is evident as he has crafted some of the winery’s concrete tanks using limestone cement. His vineyard ownership has expanded significantly; our first visit was to a picturesque vineyard named Val de Cavales, recently acquired by Rui and situated alongside his original property. Here, he has eliminated herbicide use and is focused on revitalizing the soil.
We then moved on to the family vineyard that he planted in 2020 and has subsequently extended by purchasing adjacent land. This site features an irrigation system as a safety measure for the vines.
A distinctive aspect of the Prior Lucas winery is its use of various exotic woods for barrel-making. Rui utilizes a barrel crafted from a mix of chestnut, acacia, and eucalyptus, along with an individual eucalyptus barrel—a practice not commonly seen in other wineries.
In his approach to winemaking, Rui leans towards low-intervention methods, although he does incorporate sulfites to ensure stability in the wines. He believes that avoiding sulfites might be feasible with lower pH levels, like those achieved by his colleague Luis Lopes, who produces his Moreish wines in the same cellar.
Wine tourism plays a crucial role in Rui’s business model, and the winery itself is inviting and well-equipped to host guests.
The Wines
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Prior Lucas Domenical R 2021 Bairrada, Portugal: A co-fermented blend of white and red grapes from a centenarian vineyard, aged in French oak. It exhibits a lighter body with fresh, sappy notes. (94/100)
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Prior Lucas Habemus R 2022 Bairrada, Portugal: Comprising 56% Baga and other varietals, this wine offers vibrant fruit aromas alongside a crunchy texture and elegance. (94/100)
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Prior Lucas Habemus R 2023 Bairrada, Portugal: This wine is influenced by two years of aging in concrete. Its fresh, harmonious character includes red cherry and raspberry notes. (93/100)
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Prior Lucas Fenix Tinto 2022 Bairrada, Portugal: Made from 100% Baga and 20% whole bunch, this wine, aged in mixed-wood barrels, features bright, juicy cherry and raspberry fruit. (94/100)
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Prior Lucas Fenix Tinto 2024 Bairrada, Portugal: From mixed-wood barrels, this wine shows minty, spicy, and vibrant raspberry and cherry elements. (94/100)
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Prior Lucas Fenix Branco 2023 Bairrada, Portugal: A 100% Bical wine created in a mahogany tank and eucalyptus barrel, noted for its complex, herbal, and minty qualities. (93/100)
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Prior Lucas Habemus W 2022 Bairrada, Portugal: A fresh and bright concrete-only blend of white varieties with citrus and herbal notes. (92/100)
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Prior Lucas Rosé 2023 Bairrada, Portugal: Made with Baga in mahogany barrels, it presents a fresh, spicy redcurrant character. (92/100)
For more information about Rui Lucas and his wines, visit Prior Lucas.