Sergio Ramos opened Pinheiro, Vinho e Vida on March 20 at 304 South Driver Street, a block that already has Ideal's Sandwich Shop, Sofia's Pizza, and Dame's Chicken and Waffles. The bar focuses on Portuguese and Spanish wines, with about 10 rotating by-the-glass options.

  • The space: 34 seats, including 8 at a communal table. Snacks to start, with cheese and charcuterie from an unnamed vendor coming later. Retail bottles available to sip in-house or take home.
  • Wine philosophy: Ramos plans to focus on underrepresented producers, including winemakers from unfamiliar regions and those who are female, LGBTQ+, or indigenous. He holds credentials from the Society of Wine Educators and Wines of Portugal.
  • Ramos's history: He spent years behind the bar at Durham's original Bar Brunello, which closed during the pandemic. His parents are from Brazil and Portugal, which is where the Iberian focus comes from.

Context: Driver Street has added more food and drink in the last three years than it did in the decade before. Pinheiro is the latest.