In the heart of Régua, among barrels and family memories, Maria Aguiar gave new life to an old wine cellar. Inspired by the ancient tradition of libation, she created Libatio Bar, a space where wine is celebrated as an offering, a shared experience, and a meeting point.
A trained lawyer, she swapped the courtroom for the slopes of the Douro, transforming the century-old Quinta de Villa Franca into a gathering place for producers, curious visitors, and wine lovers. Here, the stars are independent and less obvious wines, carefully selected by Maria and her team, always paired with local snacks.
At Octant Douro, this same philosophy is reflected at the table – a tribute to small producers, authentic choices, and the genuine spirit of Douro.
Libatio comes from the Latin word for libation, an ancient ritual of pouring liquid onto the ground as an offering to the gods. It was this tradition that inspired Maria Aguiar when naming her wine bar, opened in 2023 in a former family winery in Régua.
A lawyer by training, Maria traded the courtroom for the Douro, transforming the century-old winery at Quinta de Villa Franca into Libatio Bar—a gathering place for local producers, wine lovers, and curious travellers. With the help of her cousin, architect Diogo Aguiar, she reimagined the old cellar into a contemporary wine space.
At Libatio Bar, the spotlight is on independent wines—less obvious choices from small, passionate producers. Every day, Maria and her team, Daniela and Sofia, select a different wine to showcase, best enjoyed with regional delicacies.
