Grape Stomping

On our last night in Douro Valley we went to another local winery to participate in the grape harvest! Quinta de Pacheca. Here, instead of using machines to manage the fermentation of red wines and port (by mixing the skins and fermenting juice, called cap management), they manage it with grape stomping or foot treading!

With big shallow granite vats of grapes called lagares, works stomp through ~2 feet of grapes to mix the skins and juice! All the while musicians play :)

They gave us some shorts and a new t-shirt to partake before dinner - and we returned the favor with some free labor! The bin we were in is destined for a port wine.

The rest of the evening included some wine and port tastings, and a very generous dinner. Truly and fully stuffed, we got a ride back to our hotel for our last night - heading to Porto tomorrow.Read more