The “old” Douro

On paper, the Douro Valley is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. Its boundaries and first regulations date back to 1756!

The high demand and the authenticity of Port Wine from Douro were major concerns, at a time when all the other Portuguese overseas trades suffered losses, in favor of the British and Dutch civilizations, with a more developed commercial and social policies.

Have you ever wondered why is he lexicon around Port Wine, all in English? “Tawny” Port, “Ruby” Port, “Vintage”, “Late Bottled”, “Crusted”, etc. (the list goes on…).

Well… seen as a luxury resource, Port Wine sustained the Portuguese economy in the 18th and a big part of the 19th century.
Along with some Brazilian and Asian products, it had one main destination: England and the English empire – who imposed severe trade-offs following their military efforts during the french invasions in Portugal 1809-1811.

Overall, fortified wine was more expensive and basically made with one single objective: export. Therefore, Portuguese people have always felt sort of left aside and never really drank a lot of Port! Generally speaking, Portuguese usually drink Port as an exception, not a rule.

Until the 1980’s, and the entrance of Portugal in the European Community, the majority of commercial value of wine in Portugal relied on Port Wine.

By this time, a handful of Douro producers decided to start making premium dry wines (a.k.a. regular wines or still wines), using the same grape varieties as for Port.

The “new” Douro

A lot of wine makers in Douro nowadays, choose to give dry wines a bigger emphasis, following the evolution towards a different, younger and contemporary tendency.

For example, some make single varietal wines (exclusively with a single grape variety), like “Quinta do Cume Touriga Nacional”; others try ancient methods like wine fermentation in clay vessels, like “Protótipo” sparkling.
And some of them have been recently distinguished in publications worldwide, like “Wine & Soul”, for example.

Their main focus is on producing wines with the least possible intervention, as natural as possible, to the limit.
Wines that reflect time and place more than just a label or a place on a shelf of a supermarket.

“New Douro” is the name we gave to the concept of this new generation of wines and winemakers in the Douro Valley.
We consider the independent wine producer a hero!

“New Douro” wineries are focused on quality and authenticity, as well as being environmental friendly, with respect for the terroir and the identity of the wine.

A “new Douro” tour

Finally, as a result of many years of experience, we were constantly looking for ways to escape the most beaten paths and crowds, searching for small, boutique wineries in our “backyard” wine region.

We ended up creating a new type of experience! A private and offbeat natural wine tour, in the Douro Valley.

We want to show you the wines we enjoy drinking, as well as the lifestyle of the genuine people that make it!

In reality it’s like we are visiting friends!
For that, we will go off the beaten path, which will make your day even more unforgettable!

The New Douro Tour is more than a sightseeing tour, more than a winery visit and more than a few wine tastings in the Douro Valley.

P.S.- Oh!… And once a year we go grape stomping during the harvest season! So make sure to book our Harvest Tour as soon as it’s available!