I’m your host at Quinta da Misericórdia

A woman with short gray hair, glasses, and a patterned shirt smiling behind a counter in a wine shop, with shelves of wine bottles in the background.

My name is Rita. For over eight years I ran Comida Independente, an award-winning wine bar and shop, becoming a familiar name in Portugal’s hospitality scene.

My journey into this world followed more than two decades of corporate life, embracing a career shift driven by purpose and passion.

Two women standing in a vineyard, one showing grapevines to the other, with a rural landscape in the background.

Visit Anna Jorgensen, Cortes de Cima. Photo: Maique

During my time at Comida Independente, I crisscrossed Portugal to meet independent producers, immersing myself in the stories behind the wines, the landscapes that shape them, and the people who craft them with care. I also visited orchards, vegetable gardens, cheesemakers, charcuterie artisans, olive oil mills, coffee roasters and even tea plantations—building a rich, firsthand understanding of Portugal’s terroir and traditions.

More recently, I have dedicated myself to Quinta da Misericórdia, and in doing so, learned about plants and their ecosystems — discovering the botanical world of Arrábida and the very real challenges and true wonders of everyday gardening.