Rufo was born after a conversation between friends after dinner, while discussing how to improve agricultural practices towards the environment and increase the population of Alectoris rufa in Vale D. Maria (Alectoris rufa being the scientific name for red-legged partridges). ).
They agreed that the word Rufo, which means red in Latin, would be a good name for a Douro red wine. But Rufo in Portuguese also means the sound of the drum.
When designing the label, the drum quickly became the symbol of the new Vale D. Maria wine.