Douro Valley- 10 Reasons It’s a Wine Lover’s Paradise

Dré & his late Uncle, Tio Lino, creating Douro memories

Who’s visited the Douro Valley in Portugal yet? If you haven’t you are really missing out.

Here’s some fun facts about the gorgeous Douro Valley below.
​
The Douro Wine Region Valley, up to Barca de Alva, is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. First, the river carved the deep valleys out of the land and then Man transformed the schist mountains into soil and walls and planted the vines, green in summer, flame-coloured in autumn. It was from the fruits of the land and Man’s labour that this unique wine and landscape were made.

#1 The Region has UNESCO World Heritage Status and known as one of the first demarcated wine-producing region in the world established in 1756

#2 The Douro Valley Soil is not real soil but anthroposoil (man made) made you of crushed stones as the soil is considered infertile.

#3 19th century the vineyards suffered from a Phylloxera attack and had to be rebuilt (along with the rest of Europe). Phylloxera is a microscopic, pale yellow sap-sucking insects that eat the roots and leaves of grapevines.

#4 Most of the rootstock of Douro Valley wine had the be of American phylloxera resistant Root stock to European vines. While Europeans were terrified of this it’s really the grape that provides the flavor & the roots that sustain them.

#5 The terraces of vines in the Douro Valley were introduced by the Romans in the third century A.D

#6 The Douro Valley is Port Wine Country

#7 Port wine isn’t made in Porto, but made in Douro Valley and shipped to Porto . The wine is named after the place it’s shipped from. Its like being an awesome artist & someone else signing your art in their name. 🤔

#8 Authentic port is made on ‘quintas’ (estates) along a narrow river gorge that winds 100 miles through the mountain ranges

#9 There are over 200 Quintas in the Douro Valley

#10 The inclined the terraces were designed to expose the vines to the direct sun & the warmth that the grapes crave.

Planning a visit to Sonoma Wine Country soon? Be sure to check availability at our Lavenderbnbfarm Retreat, link here.