Nestled in the northern reaches of Portugal, a mere 90-minute journey from Porto, lies the Douro Valley, an enchanting wine region etched into steep mountains and sliced by the serpentine flow of the Douro River. As the world's first officially demarcated wine region, established in 1756, the Douro is famed for its creation of Port, a luscious fortified wine that has been shipped downriver for centuries. Since the 1960s, the Douro has witnessed a renaissance, with roads connecting it to Porto and the rise of table wines expanding its allure. Today, the Douro Valley stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a tapestry of vine-clad quintas (winery estates) that beckons tourists and wine enthusiasts alike to discover its historic charm and viticultural bounty.