Kauffman Commentary

Just outside Vila Real, tucked into the hills at the edge of the Douro wine country, sits the beautiful Mateus Palace (Casa de Mateus).
The family who built Mateus Palace accumulated their wealth through a combination of wine, land, and strategically arranged marriages. The palace reflects that wealth, with elaborate woodwork and furnishings made primarily from chestnut, a traditional and durable wood of the region.
One of the most interesting things we learned was how inheritance worked within the family. The estate was passed almost entirely to the oldest son, while the other siblings generally received little or no inheritance. Instead, younger sons often went to work in the family business or pursued careers in the Catholic Church. This system helped keep the family’s land, wealth, and influence together from one generation to the next.
Walking through Mateus Palace, it was fascinating to see not only the beauty of the house but also how the family structure and traditions shaped its history.

Our next stop took us into the heart of the Douro wine country to Quinta do Seixo, one of Sandeman’s most important estates. Perched high above the Douro River between Régua and Pinhão, the quinta has an incredible panoramic view of the valley and its steeply terraced vineyards.

The estate dates back to the 17th century and covers about 266 acres.

In 1760 a Scottish man named George Sandeman started the vineyard. The port that he created and sold became much like champagne is to France. The port has to be produced in the Douro valley region to be called a port.

The trip up and down the single lane switchback road is a nail biter.

Tonight at music trivia night, we placed 2nd! Besides knowing the song, era and group it included dancing and playing the air guitar for points. Three teams tied and had to figure out the total ages of three of the crew. They are all three youngsters!