From Vine to Wine: A Personal Voyage Through Portugal's Vindima Tradition

Embracing heritage, camaraderie, and the art of informal winemaking in the scenic Douro region

In Portugal, the term "Vindima" refers to the annual grape harvest—a ritual that lies at the heart of the nation's thriving wine culture. While the word itself may signify the period between the harvest and the onset of wine production, its deeper meaning resonates within the small villages and rural communities where the Vindima is a cherished tradition.

The "Vindima Day" embodies the spirit of camaraderie as neighbors and friends unite to help one another pick grapes from their private vineyards. It's not unusual to be offered a handful of freshly harvested grapes while strolling down the streets during this time.

Typically, the Vindima in the Douro region unfolds between September and October.

In 2021, our perfect harvest day fell on October 15th—a sun-kissed Friday. This is a glimpse into the world of a charming vineyard in Vale de Cambra.

Surrounded by a peaceful setting, I was excited to dive into this completely new experience. Our day started early, and the picking process was both enjoyable and (almost) effortless.

First, we snipped the grape clusters from the vines, examining each one closely for quality. Any dry grapes were promptly discarded, while the plump, juicy ones found their way into large buckets, destined for greatness.

Following the harvest, the grapes were transported by a small truck to a makeshift wine cave—a repurposed garage where their transformation into wine would begin. Our morning's labor yielded enough grapes to produce 1,200 liters of green wine, ready to be savored by February of the following year.

Green wine, however, is not derived from green grapes, as one might assume. This unique variety originates in the lush region between the Douro and Minho rivers in northeastern Portugal. As the second most exported Portuguese wine—trailing only the renowned Port Wine—green wine is available in white, rosé, and red, a fact that took me by surprise. Until then I had only tried the white version.

Around noon, our day of harvesting culminated in a delicious lunch at a nearby cozinha, where we feasted on local delicacies with the stunning valley view.

To document this unforgettable experience, I carried two cameras with me: a Minolta Dynax 404SI loaded with Lomography Metropolis 400 (35mm film) and an Agfa mini loaded with Lomography Tiger (110 film). I also captured some moments on my iPhone, preserving the essence of this special day.

Technical information about the pictures:

1. The picturesque view from the vineyard, showcasing green grass, vines, and trees in a sunny day - Captured on an iPhone 8.

2. A man holding a bunch of grapes, wearing a cap with "Portugal" written on it - Captured on a Minolta Dynax 404SI with Lomography Metropolis 400 (35mm film).

3. A woman gathering food from her tray for our morning snack, with a big bucket of grapes in the background - Captured on an Agfa mini with Lomography Tiger (110 film).

4. A man holding freshly picked grapes, with a focus on the fruit - Captured on a Minolta Dynax 404SI with Lomography Metropolis 400 (35mm film).

5 and 6. A small red truck used to transport the grapes and a collection of big buckets brimming with freshly picked grapes from our morning harvest - Captured on an Agfa mini with Lomography Tiger (110 film).

7. A table set with plates and glasses by a window, overlooking the valley in the cozinha - Captured on a Minolta Dynax 404SI with Lomography Metropolis 400 (35mm film).

8 and 9. Detail of the vines and a man in his 60's smiling in front of the vines -- Captured on a Minolta Dynax 404SI with Lomography Metropolis 400 (35mm film).

10. The view from the vineyard, showcasing green grass, vines, and trees in a sunny day - Captured on an iPhone 8.

11. A man picking grapes from the vine - Captured on an Agfa mini with Lomography Tiger (110 film).

12. A man working with a machine inside the wine cave - Captured on an iPhone 8.

13. Two men gazing out the window from picture 7 - Captured on an Agfa mini with Lomography Tiger (110 film).