Algarve luxury resort Vila Vita Parc has earned two major national awards for its sommelier team.
Augusto Brumatti, head sommelier of Vila Vita Parc, has been named “Sommelier of the Year” by Portuguese wine magazine Revista de Vinhos, while João Wiborg, head sommelier at the resort’s two-Michelin-starred Ocean restaurant, received the title of “Best Sommelier 2025” at the Mesa Marcada awards.
Both awards are described by the resort as proof of the quality of the resort’s 16-sommelier team, who together shape the wine and gastronomic experience across all Vita Vita Parc restaurants.
Wine is a central part of the Vila Vita Parc experience, the resort says in a statement to the press, adding that it is not simply paired with food but is a defining feature of the experience.
One of the highlights of the resort’s commitment as a wine lovers’ dream is its Wine Cellar, housing over 11,000 bottles, including wines, spirits and fortified selections. All Portuguese regions are represented, alongside a carefully curated international portfolio. The cellar also supports a range of dining concepts and customer profiles, while aiming to “create emotional connections through wine.”
Brumatti joined the Porches-based resort in Lagoa in 2025, marking what the group calls a new phase in its wine strategy. He previously worked at some of Portugal’s most prestigious restaurants, including Fortaleza do Guincho, Alma and 100 Maneiras. In 2022, he was nominated for “Sommelier of the Year” by Paixão pelo Vinho magazine, and in 2025 he served on the jury of the “Top 10 Best Wines of Portugal” initiative by Revista de Vinhos/Essência Company.
At Ocean, João Wiborg “represents a new generation of sommeliers”. Certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers, he brings a “contemporary and sustainability-focused approach to the wine programme”. His selections highlight small producers and lesser-known Portuguese regions such as Silves, Dão and the Azores. Working closely with chef Hans Neuner, Wiborg develops “creative pairings designed to complement the restaurant’s cuisine”. Alongside fellow sommelier Marco Teixeira, he embraces “experimentation and unexpected combinations”.
With these two awards, Vila Vita Parc says it strengthens its standing as one of Portugal’s leading food and wine destinations.
