Vincent Bouchard (owner of Quinta do Tedo since 1992) welcomed in his 71st year with a very colourful, surreal (lots of clowns!), multi-generational and lively party here at Quinta do Tedo.
Vincent, a winemaker and wine barrel consultant by profession, has been immersed in wine his entire life. He is part of the 9th generation of Bouchard Père et Fils winery in Burgundy, that dates back to 1731. However, as a boy his dream was to be a clown with a red nose.
Having lost his father at 11 years, when he wanted to go to Circus School, his mother told him that he would never make a living as a clown. Instead she immediately enrolled him into the prestigious Lycée Viticole of Beaune.
Vincent’s mother, today 100 years old, was right! He followed in the family’s wine-related tradition that enabled him to purchase Quinta do Tedo, and to focus on making internationally-acclaimed premium Portos and Douro DOC wines, together with our winemaker and general manager Jorge Alves.
Vincent, a wine lover and somewhat rebellious by nature, will certainly finish with a pink nose! Always holding the bar high to meet the standards set by his family – the rest is history.
When discussing in early 2025 what kind of costume party to have for his 70th, Vincent answered immediately: a circus theme. Together with our guests, local and from all over the world, and our Tedo family, creativity was the adjective for the costumes.
Yes, there were many different types of clowns, as well as many female animal tamers, but there were also snake charmers, tents, popcorn vendors, circus animals, and a host of truly funny characters!
As always, our parties start with a Porto Rosé cocktail in hand, to visit the property and the wine cave. This time a clever slideshow organised by Paolo, Odile and Joseph showed the many clown sides of Vincent over 7 decades.
Dinner was masterfully catered family style by Bistro Terrace, music fantastically DJ-ed by local Vasco Valente with Portuguese, Brazilian, French, Italian, English and American tunes, and our thirst was quenched by Quinta do Tedo wines and Portos, and daughter Odile’s personal Gamine Rose wine project, as we danced the night away.
Thank you to our Team and local partners, who helped prolong the celebration with a boat ride up Douro river and dinner at our favorite local regional restaurant since 30 years, Cacho d’Oiro, in nearby Régua.
Obrigada to all who came, and HAPPY HAPPY TO YOU, VINCENT, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE THE CLOWN IN OUR LIVES!
~ Kay Bouchard (Co-owner of Quinta do Tedo, and Vincent’s clownette-partner-in-crime)