Less than two hours drive outside of Porto, the northern city the city that gave its name to the country and the wine, the Douro Region of Portugal continues to produce wine the way it has been done for hundreds of years - stomping grapes in bare feet - a contrast to the high-tech windmills that line the mountain ridges and generate much of the country's electrical power today.

It's a Brigadoon-kind of visual experience: small villages that hug the hillsides look much as they did 100 years ago.

The essential aspect of the Douro is the Douro River, this stunning meandering river that runs from the Spanish border in the East through spectacular scenery, finally emptying into the sea at Porto (Oporto) on the west coast.

But what really distinguishes the Douro, and makes its landscape so spectacular are the vines on steeply terraced hills and mountains that rise 1,000 feet on both sides of the river between Barqueiros and Barca d'Alva.

The Douro was the first specifically demarcated wine region, created by the visionary Sebastiao Jose de Carvallho e Melo, Marquis of Pombal whose progressive ideas of economics and politics rescued the Portugal after the devastating earthquake that destroyed much of Lisbon in 1755. He established boundaries and regulations for the production of authentic Port from the Douro in 1756. The region has been designated as a World Heritage site.

You look at the neat rows of vines and realize that men would carry woven baskets up and down these terraces at impossible angles. The woven baskets, weighing about 70 pounds when they are full, were carried with leather straps that went around their head. Today, we learn, they use a lighter plastic basket that does not cause damage to the grapes, and there we see small motorized vehicles that work their way up the terrace, but it is still back-breaking work.

You can visit Douro Valley to learn more about the art of wine making, experience authentic harvest festivities (which take place roughly mid-September to mid-October), relax on a boat as it cruises up the Douro, watch the breathtaking scenery go by from a historic steam train and taste the various wines at a degustation dinner.

Our visit takes us onto the Douro Wine Trail - something that is especially popular to do during the harvest season, roughly mid-September to mid-October (the dates vary and the decision can be made almost instantly, when the grapes appear to be the best for picking).

The Grape Harvest in Portugal started in the last weeks of August and for 2013 it has been a good one since the majority of the wine producers are happy with the overall quality of the grapes.

Usually starting in the Alentejo Wine Region and the Algarve Wine Region were the grape maturations are faster due to the hotter sunny climate.

This year we were at a small family wine estate, the Monte da Casteleja combining great Organic White, Red and Rosé Wines with a small countyside wine guesthouse. An excellent pick since the owners hospitality, Guillaume and Maria, leaved us with a special feeling from the overall experience. A traditional lunch full of great Portuguese specialties like the Portuguese Gaspacho, Fresh Salads, Fava Bean Stew and Great Desserts from the Algarve Region. 

Visiting Portugal: Porto & The DouroPortugal is quickly becoming the next destination for great valued European travel. For wine lovers, visiting Portugal is remarkable because the vineyards haven’t changed for nearly 2000 years. In fact, the Douro is a protected UNESCO world site . The famous wine of the region, Port, offers some of the most amazing values for collectible wine on the market.
 

We went to Porto, Portugal and traveled up the same river that has been shipping Port wines for almost 400 years. Find out what visiting Portugal feels like; an inspiration for when you go. By Wine Folly.

From classic regions to lesser-known corners, our editors select this year’s best in wine, food and cultural adventure.

A sense of place, the sights, sounds, smells and spirit of a travel destination—can endear that area to a person forever. For wine lovers, there is no better way to cement that connection than to explore the world around those vines. As the wine market becomes ever more global, packed with offerings ranging from the most storied wine regions to the most offbeat, so does the wine traveler’s itinerary.

Each year, our editors travel the world to experience the best wine and food, and in turn, discover the most exciting places to visit. Our list for 2013 represents the wide swath of cultural and culinary experiences on the must-see list.

Whether your tastes lean toward the rustic climbing trails of South Africa’s Stellenbosch or a tour of a Puglian castle, this list promises outstanding travel experiences and unforgettable wines. By Wine Enthusiast

Rioja, SpainDanube, AustriaNorth & South Forks of Long Island, New YorkStellenbosch, South AfricaMonterey County, CaliforniaVale dos Vinhedos, BrazilWillamette Valley, OregonHunter Valley, New South Wales, AustraliaDouro Valley, PortugalPuglia, Italy

Porto is Portugal’s second largest city, with a population of 237,500 as of 2011. Located in the Northwest of the country and built by the shores of the Douro River, also one of Europe’s oldest tourist destinations. Porto’s Historical Center has been a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1996.

The city unfolds along the river bank and the sea shore, to reveal charming vistas, monumental and artistic heritage, cultural life, shopping areas which run from the traditional to the modern and exclusive, inviting esplanades and all the pleasures of the outdoors, framed by its green spaces.

Geographically well located, is possible to count on a modern transport and communications network. It is also a short drive from surrounding country areas – some of the most beautiful and spectacular landscapes in the world.

Famous and unique, Port Wine is a fortified wine produced exclusively in the Douro Region and aged in cellars. Originally it was transported down the river on the traditional Rabelo boats, replicas of which can be seen next to the Luís I bridge. This wine stands out from ordinary wines thanks to its huge range of varieties, with an incomparable richness and intensity of aroma, a long finish, both on the nose and on the palate, and a high level of alcohol content (generally between 19 and 22% by volume).

The Port and Douro Wines Institute is the body responsible for certifying and supervising all “Porto” Origin wines. Its headquarters houses a multifunctional area for receptions, laboratories, tastings, visits and wine sales.

The history of this precious nectar is revealed on a guided visit to the famous Port Wine Cellars or the Port Wine Museum where numerous exhibits document the city’s commercial history and its relationship with the world-renowned wine.

Wines from the Douro region are beginning to be accepted as some of Portugal’s finest. Although excellent white wines are produced here, the area is best known for its great reds.

Vinho Verde, an exceptionally unique wine 

Owner of an exceptional sensorial singularity, Vinho Verde represent the best of white wines from Portugal, offering singular experiences of tasting and socialization.

A wine with Controlled Appellation of Origin, characterized by the citrus colour (white Vinho Verde) and intense, fruity, floral aromas, fresh, with smooth, very balanced flavour, light body, perfect acidity, low alcohol content and excellent harmony and persistency in the mouth.

Verde is perfect on several occasions. Intensely fruity, Vinho Verde is particularly popular as an appetizer as it is slightly alcoholic and has a very balanced acidity. But the Vinho Verde is also the preferred choice for casual dining. A natural beverage, low calories, ideal for those looking for lighter moments, relaxing, and a healthy lifestyle.

Fish and shellfish are favoured when served with a white Vinho Verde, light, fruity and fresh. Also white meats, salads and vegetarian dishes are combined perfectly with this nectar. Another virtue of Vinho Verde is the perfect harmonization with international food: sushi and sashimi, Italian pastes, paellas, duck meat and cheeses.

Vinho Verde is unique in the world. Its typicity and uniqueness is the result of the natural conditions of the Vinho Verde Region (the soil, climate, geology and topography), the peculiarity of the regional/indigenous varieties used (the main are Alvarinho, Arinto, Avesso, Azal, Loureiro and Trajadura), and centuries of regions’ experience and knowledge in vine growing and wine production.

With around 25,000 producers and 21,000 hectares of vineyards, Vinho Verde Region in the northwest of Portugal is one of the largest winegrowing regions in Europe. By GWC.

The largest wine club in the world, the Swedish Munskänkarna, chose Porto and the Douro as 'Wine Village of the Year’ 2012, a distinction to be delivered on 6 February.

The club Munskänkarna, with 24.000 members, elects every year, since 1993, a city/region as 'The Wine village of the Year', a distinction until now only awarded to cities/regions in France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Spain and South Africa.

"It is with pride that Porto and Douro receive this distinction, which praises the Portuguese wines, promotes the world’s most ancient wine region acknowledged by international wine experts, and praises the city that lands its name to the Port wine (Vinho do Porto, in Portuguese), said the president of the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto, Manuel Novaes Cabral.