June 30, 2023 pt. 2

Today, after cruising down  river in the a.m. we visited a producing port winery for a walking tour thru the vineyards guided by their vigneron.  Fascinating experience.  And again in so many ways, different than in Napa or Sonoma.  Here, EVERY vineyard is terraces or planted on such a steep slope that a small caterpillar tractor is the only means of tending the vineyard.  (And these are the “newer” plantings beginning in the mid-‘80’s). All the older are terraced in mostly horizontal rows and these are tended and harvested exclusively by hand labor.   

The plateau of closely spaced vines on the left of this pic were planted in 1917 and are still producing premium juice for port. 

Below is a pic of a very gradually terraced vineyard designed for mechanized maintenance.  Spaced wider and note the berm on the right of the row to prevent erosion. 

This row below are sample of the 12 grape varietals used by this winery for their port.  There are literally dozens of other varietals used in the valley for port.  

And here is a newly planted vineyard on a very steep slope:

These terraces are 6-8’ in differential elevation.  

They have been doing this in the Douro Valley for over 1000 years!

Love,    Dad

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