One of the rising stars in Douro wine making, Susete’s connection with wine began as a small child. She fondly remembers harvest day at her grandparent’s vineyard in northern Portugal, the joy of picking, the smell, and the taste of grapes. Even when too young to work in the harvest, Susete was fascinated by her families wine making.
Years later, while studying Microbiology in Porto, those childhood memories were rekindled and blossomed into a new-found curiosity for the fermentation process and learning about wines.
While completing her Microbiology degree at ESB-UCP, a harvest membership’s hands on experience reinforced Susete’s passion for wines. A desire to work in wine making ensued. After a post-graduate degree in Oenology and Viticulture at ESB-UCP, Susete completed a MSc Vinifera Euromaster in both Viticulture and Oenology, this double master’s degree from Montpellier SupAgro in France and Geisenheim University in Germany would not be the final degree in her formal education. Susete spent several years deepening her knowledge at a wide range or vineyards and wineries, from small boutique projects to world-renowned in France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and the US. In 2015, Susete moved to South Africa for a PhD in Viticulture at Stellenbosch University.
She returned to Portugal in 2018, and the Douro Valley, the world’s oldest demarcated wine region, beckoned. After stints at a few other renowned Douro wineries, she came to Kranemann Wine Estates to take on the challenge of developing fresh new wines in the unique terroir of the Tavora Valley and raising a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy named Skywalker.