Authentic port comes only from the Douro (durr-oh) River Valley, located in northeast Portugal, whose inhospitable climate and landscape create the perfect conditions for port. The Douro River flows west from the Spanish border to the city of Oporto, from which port takes its name. Just across the river from Oporto lies the town of Vila Nova de Gaia, where the warehouses - or lodges - of all the major port houses are situated. Wine is shipped in bulk from the Douro area to these lodges to age in the cool seacoast climate.
Originally demarcated in 1756, the Douro is divided into three regions: the Baixo Corgo (bay-shoo corg-oh), the Cima Corgo (see-ma corg-oh) and the Douro Superior. The steep, rugged hillsides of the Cima Corgo and Douro Superior were found to produce superior wines, and it is here that all of the great port houses, including Cockburn's, established vineyard holdings here.
The Douro climate is one of extremes. Winters can bring severe frosts while summers are long, dry and hot. Vines grow in a meager topsoil derived from a rock called schist, that sometimes must be shattered with dynamite before planting can begin. Vineyards must be terraced in most of the Douro due to the steepness of the terrain.
