11/09/2022
Among the mountains of northern Portugal at this time of the year, it‘s wonderful to see the euphoria on many faces as the beautiful grapes rippen along the valleys of the Douro river and the Dão. It is such a special time that has inspired me to write a story set precisely there and then. It is called “A Quinta da Nave”. It is the story of Luna, the main character, when she returns to her family’s farm for the annual vintage, after being away for two years, grieving, in isolation, for the passing of her beloved grandfather, inspiration to the whole family. To give you a feeling of the vintage carried out in the Beira region of Portugal, you will love to read the excerpts from Luna’s story, that O will publish here these next following days::
(1) “When Aurora arrived, Luna and Arcturus were already among the vines inspecting the ripening of the grapes. Luna couldn’t help but tasting them. Some from here, some from there, some from beyond. With acuity, her parents would analyze the skins, the color, the aromas, for the signs of perfection. Years of experience were needed to determine the full maturation of the fruits in order to guarantee the best qualities to the wines.
It is known. It all starts with the care devoted to the vineyards, to the soil, to the plants and to the fruits. Her family did not neglect the immemorial advice. Better yet, they went a step ahead. Arcturus trained himself, and his plants, into organic farming, as opposed to monocultures, so tempting for its technological ease, but so polluting, and harmful to people’s health and the environment. The aim her father was striving to reach was surely leading to promising results, despite the arduous work. With a wide repertoire of companion plants to the vine used to ward off pests and diseases, walking in between the lines was as if submerged in a sea of subtle scents and varied colors, only capable of being described by words related to pure pleasure, such as a leafy green oasis, like the olive grove further on, where they took refuge for a moment. Or the fig tree above, also much visited by birds. As well as the forest of ash, alder, and holm oaks that followed the stream behind the cellars.
The next two days were equally filled with joy. On the third day, during lunch, after deep considerations, Aurora finally announced the beginning of the harvest to the following Sunday. She was the winemaker who determined when to start the vintage, which experiments to be done each year, and where to organize them in the cellar. Luna greatly admired her mother’s artistry, kindness and strength, for she carried her children when babies everywhere, up and down eternal slopes, in her arms during the vintage. Her personal disorder would have to wait, Luna told herself, for they had only a few days to make sure everything would be ready.
Trimming scissors and baskets for a group of 20 to 30 people. Tractors revised. Fuel stored. Impeccably clean, all vats for treading and fermentation, the mechanized crusher, and the oak barrels, all in support of Bacchus truth. They had also to go to the village to warn friends and neighbors who would work in the harvest, as well as the musicians! It was, after all, party time! It also meant hard work ahead, for the vintage would have to be done quickly, as the rain, possible in September, could delay the work and spoil the grapes left to be harvested later.”
