Just as each annual grape harvest is different at Quinta do Tedo, the same goes for our annual Harvest Experience.
When I think back on past Harvest Experiences, it is always with a grin. Since years, this is an annual event that I have led โ I look forward to meeting a unique combination of personalities from different nationalities, ages and interests, and to share with them a highlight at Tedo: HARVEST!
We come together and share a common passion: the grape harvest and experiencing first hand how Porto is made.
Meeting up in front of our schist slab benches in the morning, in the shade of our linden trees, overlooking Tedo river. We wait for the latecomers, usually held up by trains arriving from Porto โon Portuguese timeโ to the train station in nearby Rรฉgua. Our harvest t-shirts (designed by a Bouchard Family member, myself or one of my children โ we each do have an artsy side!) are handed out, along with a reminder to use ample sunscreen. If hats are forgotten, we always have extras on hand.
We start with a round of introductions โ the group is always a cross section of humanity that adds richness to the day.
We walk through the vineyards en route to โCasa Novaโ, our โworkers canteenโ at Quinta do Tedo, for our morning snack of pataniscas de bacalhau and sopa de cebola (salt cod fritters and Douroโs traditional onion soup) โ we keep our team well fed for the hard work ahead!
We hand out harvesting shears and buckets, followed by a brief explanation of cluster cutting best practices, and then harvest takes place alongside our workers. After 30-45 minutes, I check in to see who is ready to carry on to the next activity.
Not everyone is ready โ there are often the individuals who feel โownershipโ of โtheir rowโ of vines, and would prefer to stay put to finish harvesting it! There is something meditational about harvesting, feeling part of a team, and knowing that the grapes will become Porto. The participant is a part of the process.
The next step of our Harvest Experience is a tour of our historic aging cellars and lagars, followed by a tasting of our Ports and red wines.
A terrace lunch overlooking Douro riverโs splendor, with my signature bacalhau gratin, regional cold cuts and cheeses, salads, and all the accoutrements, paired with our wines, finished off with a dessert paired with our Port โ we sit, sip and savor this slice of our Quinta do Tedo life together, and make merry conversation.
And for the grand finale โ foot treading in our epoxy-lined open cement tanks to the tunes of a local folkloric band complete with accordion and traditional songs. Of course, with a glass of the King of Porto, a Vintage.
โPurple Feet = Promising Portโ is our mantra at Quinta do Tedo, and we look forward to sharing it with you!
Our annual Harvest Experience is scheduled this year for Saturday, September 5, 2026 from 9:30/10:00 through 15:30/16:00, and our group size is limited to 20 persons at 130 euros per person.
Reach out to me, Owner and Harvest Experience Leader Kay Bouchard, via info@quintadotedo.com to book your spot -- they fill up quickly!
Bom proveito, enjoy, santรฉ & Genieรen Sie sie! ~ Odile & Kay Bouchard