10/09/2026
What happened in the Douro on 10 September 1756?
It wasn’t simply the drawing of a line on a map. It was the beginning of a new way of regulating w**e — and a turning point in the history of Port.
By the 18th century, w**es from the Douro had become increasingly important to Portugal’s trade with Britain. Demand was growing, and so was the value of the w**e’s reputation.
But rapid growth also brought problems. W**es of different origins and qualities were being traded under the same name, raising concerns about fraud, declining quality and the reputation of Douro w**e.
So, under the Marquis of Pombal, the Portuguese Crown created the Douro Demarcated Region in 1756 and established regulations governing the production and trade of its w**es. It became the world’s oldest demarcated and regulated w**e region.
And the boundaries were not merely theoretical. Granite markers were placed throughout the region, physically defining the demarcated area. The first demarcation was carried out between 1757 and 1761.
This also shaped the relationship between the Douro, Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia: the vineyards produced the w**e, the river carried it towards Porto, and the cellars of Gaia became central to its ageing and export.
270 years later, the landscape still carries the marks of that history — in its terraced vineyards, schist walls, river and centuries-old w**e traditions.
So, the next time you raise a glass of Port, remember: there’s far more behind it than what you taste.
It begins in the Douro. 🍷
Happy Douro Demarcation Day!
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