Our Visit to Albuquerque

The seventh Duke of Albuquerque lived in a lovely baroque palace built between the 16th and 19th centuries. The little neighborhood surrounding it is called Mateus, the name he gave to the rose wine many of us drank in our youth. The wine’s little squat bottle was inspired by canteens used by the Portuguese soldiers in World War I, and the image of this house appears on the label.

The estate still produces wine, though the grapes that go into Mateus are produced a few miles away. The duke’s family still lives in the house, and much of it is open to the public. There is a reception room, a tea room, a smoking room, a dining room, and many more. I found the religion room to be especially interesting. A gloriously beautiful set of embroidered paraments with matching vestments was on display. They took eight years to make, and were used only once: at the Christmas mass of 1759. An elegant set of communion ware was also on display, with many reliquaries containing saints’ bones or teeth.

The gardens were elegant and elaborate, maintained in amazing beauty by only four full time gardeners. A stroll among the wondrous roses, hydrangeas and juniper trees completed our visit, and then we headed for a winery.Read more