Pateira

Located in Northeast Portugal, within the Douro River basin, surrounded by craggy mountains that give it very particular soil and climateric characteristics, this region spreads over a total area of approximately 250 000 hectares.

Its most famous product is the Port Wine, a fortified wine, as defined in EU legislation. It is produced under very specific conditions resulting from natural and human factors. The winemaking procedures, based on traditional methods, include stopping the fermentation of the must by adding grape brandy (beneficio), making up lots of wine and ageing the wine.

250 years ago, the great Douro farmers, desirous of protecting their interests, petitioned the government of the future Marquis of Pombal to create the Companhia Geral dos Vinhos do Alto Douro. This new institution, established by Royal Charter on 10 September 1756, was directed at ensuring the quality of the product, avoiding fraud, balancing production and trade, and stabilising prices. The first "demarcation of the mountains" was implemented. The borders of the winemaking region were delimited by 335 stone markers bearing the Feitoria designation which indicated the best quality wine, the only one that could be exported to England, commonly known as fine wine. The concept of a register of vines was defined.

The region where Porto wine is produced, was classified by UNESCO - 14/12/2000 - as World Patrimony of the Humanity, and it is one of the most beautiful landscapes of the world, where vineyards are planted in terraces overcoming the terrains inclination.

It goes without saying that the Region of the Douro worths not a visit, but a pilgrimage.