Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cão etc. from Porto DOC, Douro, Portugal.

HISTORY: The ancestors of the van Zeller family are the first known members of an uninterrupted series of 14 consecutive generations devoted to Port and Douro wine trade, an unprecedented fact in any other Portuguese family "dynasty” involved in the wine business. The known origins of the van Zeller family refer to the 13th Century, to the Flemish cities of Mechelen and Nijmegen, where they held several properties, namely, in the village of de Zellaer.

During the 17th Century, the van Zellers migrated to Spain and Portugal, countries where they came to settle. Their connection to the wine business began in the beginning of the 17th Century, according to the wine records Livros da Imposição (1620-1640) that refer to the trader Jorge Fernandes and his son-in-law Francisco da Silva Moura, ancestors of the Portuguese legacy of the family, as the biggest wine traders at that time. Feuerheerd’s was founded in 1815 by the German trader Dietrich Matthias Feuerheerd who established his business in Oporto.

ABOUT: The demarcated region of the Douro is the oldest wine region in the world for wine production. Consisting of three distinctive sub-regions, Baixo Corgo, Alto Corgo and Douro Superior, the Douro region reveals exceptional characteristics and specificities. With vineyards set in terraces over manmade steep hills and schist soils, the Douro presents itself as a natural amphitheater of unparalleled beauty, representing one of the major wine regions of the world. In 2001 UNESCO declared it as a World Heritage Site.

The 197 acres/80 hectares of Saião Estate is in Vila Nova de Foz Côa, in the Upper Douro. 22 acres/9 hectares are dedicated to vineyards; 12 acres/5 hectares were planted recently and equipped with an irrigation system. The estate boasts high quality conditions, not only for wine production but for olive oil and other products made with olives. There are over 450 olive trees at the estate!

VINIFICATION: Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature, with 1 day on its skins for pre-fermentative maceration, and 2 days for fermentation. The grapes are not de-stemmed.

TASTING NOTES: Feuerheerd’s 10 Years Old Tawny Port offers an intense acidity, w/ Candied Cherry, light Blackberry, Figs, Almonds, bitter Chocolate, Dried Raisins & light Spice notes. Full of complex aromas and flavors, it’s quite full in the mouth w/ moderate tannins, finishing dry with an intense, long, warm & spicy finish. 

FOOD PAIRING: This wine is ready to drink. The perfect finish to any meal or to accompany sweet desserts like Almond Pie, Crème Brûlèe, Mince Pies, Cakes, Milk Chocolates, Walnuts, Nuts, Roquefort, and/or as a digestive with Cigars. This Port will also serve as a lovely liquid Dessert, all on its own. Serve lightly Chilled. This wine will last several weeks after being opened - especially if refrigerated.