The French won’t like it

To properly set the context of this story, we need to go back more than 200 years.

Portugal, at the beginning of the 19th century, was an absolute monarchy with a vast transcontinental empire that allowed it to enjoy great prosperity.

But Napoleon, driven by envy, had other plans that disrupted our country’s commercial success. In 1806, he decreed the Continental Blockade, forbidding European countries from trading with England, aiming to weaken the British economy. The Portuguese were left with two options:

• to turn their backs on their centuries-old ally;

• or to go to war with France.

  
  

An attempt was made to negotiate with the French to avoid invasion, but it was unsuccessful.

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Quinta da Casaboa is located in Runa. This place was the setting of the Third French Invasion. According to historical records, and following what had already occurred during the first invasion, the local population, fearing the worst, hid their belongings—especially wine, which was the most important product in the municipality of Torres Vedras.

As also happened in the north of the country, wine bottles were buried underground, in the belief that they would not be discovered. And they were not.

Thanks to the ingenuity, experience, and determination of the Duke of Wellington, who ordered the construction of 152 fortifications known as the Lines of Torres Vedras, the advance of the French troops was halted.

During his stay, the Duke of Wellington developed a refined taste for the wine produced in the Torres Vedras region and, perhaps for that reason, was impressed by the result achieved by the bottles of wine hidden underground. Inspired by this “method,” we decided

to go further—or rather, deeper.

We buried wine bottles at a depth of 2 meters for 16 months, strategically placed between the vineyard and the Sizandro River, the same river that in 1810 separated the Anglo-Portuguese troops from the French.

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A natural wine cellar.

At a depth of 2 meters, in clay-rich soil, we find the ideal temperature and complete absence of light. Beeswax was used to seal the corks, ensuring greater protection, while time took care of the wine’s evolution.

The label is made from recycled paper, composed of two overlapping elements symbolising the layers of the earth, and it comes without a capsule, highlighting a purer presence while also reducing the ecological footprint.

The French may not like it, but the truth is that we do not aspire to produce wines for everyone; rather, we aim to segment our offer and give it a story.

We like to say this is the deepest wine on earth.

For further information, please visit: https://www.quintadacasaboa.com/claustrofobico