Colheitas 1940

The year is 1940, we are in the Douro valley, in the ancient Quinta de São Luiz. Kopke receives the honour of being officially declared the oldest Port wine House by the Trade Associations of Porto and Lisbon. These are times of profound instability due to the Second World War and the severe losses incurred in the year’s poor harvest. A very wet winter followed by a dry and hot summer resulted in low yields, albeit of remarkable quality. With the harvest done and the baskets washed, the ensuing months will dictate the future of Kopke wines. 1940 was a difficult year, but the quality of the berries suggested a long life for the wines of this harvest. Over the next decades and generations, there were many opportunities and sustained pressure to launch this nectar onto the market. The world changed and societies evolved. Despite all this, this wine was kept for 80 long years in a cellar that resisted time. But all good things come to those who wait. That patience, together with the terroir and the mastery of ageing wines in wood has transformed this wine into a unique experience.