History

The Cachão da Valeira: the gorge that opened the Douro Superior

Before there could be wine to the east, one had to get there. And, for centuries, an obstacle in the river itself prevented it: the Cachão da Valeira.

Until the end of the 18th century, the Cachão da Valeira blocked the Douro river like a waterfall, preventing boats from moving upstream to the east. With no passage, there was no trade to the interior — and therefore no way to move wine produced further east.

Opening the river with dynamite

The wall of rock had to be dynamited to open a passage. Only then did the river become navigable to the east — and, in practice, it was that act that made possible the existence of trade, and later of viticulture, in the Douro Superior.

The rabelo boats

Before roads and the railway, wine came down the Douro in rabelo boats — flat-bottomed, keel-less, steered by a large rudder-oar. They fared badly in the rapids, and the Cachão da Valeira was, for a long time, the most feared stretch of the river.

With the door open, the Douro could finally enter the map of wine. Palato do Côa takes up that gateway idea in Vinhas do Côa: a Douro DOC wine that opens the collection.

Sources
  • The opening of the Cachão da Valeira and the rabelo boats — history of navigation and of the wine trade on the Douro.
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From the Douro Superior to your table.

Explore the Palato do Côa collections or talk to the team for tech sheets and availability.

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