For The Love Of Port

Posted: **Fri May 18, 2007 6:19 am**

Check this article http://www.Decanter.com ( Jane Anson )

To dream , a spa , VP overlooking the Douro . . .

Luc

Posted: **Fri May 18, 2007 8:24 am**

But will I be able to get some Cruz while relaxing in their spas

Posted: **Fri May 18, 2007 8:35 am**

Why not relax with a strawberry milk shake instead

Luc

Posted: **Fri May 18, 2007 11:13 am**

I wonder if Roy knows???
He may be able to negoitate preferencial rates if he makes it is base.
He could be used as an American Tour Guide,etc.
Then again it could be unwelcome competition.
Interesting though.

Posted: **Fri May 18, 2007 11:31 am**

this is the most interesting part of the article for me

Adrian Bridge, managing director of the Fladgate Partnership, told decanter.com that as port companies consolidated, warehouse space in Gaia stood empty.

'We will be moving our ageing facility out to near the vineyards in the Duoro. This leaves Gaia to develop its tourism infrastructure, where visitors will still be able to see barrel ageing and the history of port, but will not be affected by lorries and delivery trucks.'

Was this common knowledge?

Derek

Posted: **Fri May 18, 2007 11:48 am**

Do you have to log in to see the article? I just get a wack of advertising and no article... :?

This makes me VERY glad Roy has decided he did not want to sully the FTLOP pages with tonnes of banner ads, etc. The page that I got was trés confusing and simply made me close it without ever finding the article.

Todd

Posted: **Fri May 18, 2007 2:49 pm**

Here is the full article for those who can't see it at http://www.decanter.com/news/120025.html

The Fladgate Partnership, owners of port houses Taylor's, Fonseca, Croft and Delaforce is to open a luxury hotel and wine spa.

The Yeatman hotel in Vila Nova de Gaia, Oporto will open in 2009. It will have 84 rooms and will be built into the steep slopes of Gaia, where port has been stored and aged for centuries.

It will overlook the Duoro river and the UNESCO World Heritage city of Oporto.

This initiative is part a regeneration programme which is being developed by the Mayor of Oporto and Vila Nova de Gaia, Luis Filipe Menzes, to revitalise the old city.

Adrian Bridge, managing director of the Fladgate Partnership, told decanter.com that as port companies consolidated, warehouse space in Gaia stood empty.

'We will be moving our ageing facility out to near the vineyards in the Duoro. This leaves Gaia to develop its tourism infrastructure, where visitors will still be able to see barrel ageing and the history of port, but will not be affected by lorries and delivery trucks.'

The wine spa, an idea that has proved popular at Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte in Bordeaux and at Marques de Riscal in Rioja, is the first of its kind in Portugal. It will be developed by the Fladgate Partnership itself, using products from its own vineyards.

Derek

Posted: **Fri May 18, 2007 2:54 pm**

Ah, well now, you see that link worked for me...
Thanks Derek!

Posted: **Fri May 18, 2007 6:03 pm**

Sorry about that Todd , I fade in and out of reality sometimes

Posted: **Mon May 21, 2007 6:00 am**

Sounds good. I really like the developments going on in Porto and Gaia. The place is getting more lively every time I visit, without losing its original charme. The only thing I regret is that the actual action is leaving from Gaia. Mr. Bridge may call it a good thing that tourists are not bothered by trucks and lorries, but I like the fact that you are in the middle of the real production facility instead of looking at a staged environment. Oh well, that's progress I guess.

Posted: **Mon May 21, 2007 9:09 am**

Ronald,

It will not be a staged environment, as the warehouses will continue to have barrels and vats with Port ageing inside, as they have untill now. What will change is that the vast majority of stocks, which most people don't get to see anyway, will be moved out to the Douro. For the visitors nothing will chnage, except, as Adrian said, traffic, which will be a lot less.

Posted: **Mon May 21, 2007 2:48 pm**

Ah, that's good to hear. Thanks for the additional info!

Posted: **Mon May 21, 2007 2:49 pm**

It was a pleasure to see Jorge Ramos, Adrian and Natasha Bridge on our visit to Fonseca, Croft and Taylor. There will be another such property that will open in July of this year. It will cost between Euros 1000-1500 per night for a stay at Quinta do Romaneira which will be a fantastically luxurious property in the Douro with the largest amount of Douro River beachfront.

That said, while at lunch with Alistair and Gilyane Robertson at Taylor's famed restaurant, we discussed their new project and I will certainly consider utilizing their facility while in the area for our groups. We stayed in Gaia during the Fortification Tour (aptly named for the participant's livers becoming well fortified after 4 daze of the trip) and would most likely look to stay there again in the future, especially in support of a Port producer such as Taylor's. Just before lunch there was a big meeting to decide on some of the particulars of the design of the property and it sounds quite grand.

Posted: **Mon May 21, 2007 2:55 pm**

Roy Hersh wrote: It will cost between Euros 1000-1500 per night for a stay at Quinta do Romaneira

Given the ownership of QdR it may be worth 1500 Euro per night just to have a few glasses of the complimentary house wine 8)

Derek

Posted: **Mon May 21, 2007 3:29 pm**

$1000-1500 Euro per night? Does that include a case of port at checkout?

Actually, Derek seems to know something that I don't (about the ownership of the Quinta... care to share Derek? I'm not following the 'value' part...

Todd

Posted: **Mon May 21, 2007 3:31 pm**

tpettinger wrote: Actually, Derek seems to know something that I don't

What happens in the Douro stays in the Douro 8) - google it and see what you find

Derek

Posted: **Mon May 21, 2007 3:33 pm**

Derek Turnbull wrote:
tpettinger wrote: Actually, Derek seems to know something that I don't
What happens in the Douro stays in the Douro 8) - google it and see what you find

Derek

Ditto

Posted: **Fri May 25, 2007 7:14 am**

Back on topic - what's a wine spa?

Is this as disgusting as it sounds? Would I have a choice of red or white? Still or sparkling? Fortified or table wine? Do I get to choose the vintage(s) or average age of the wines used?

Would I come out throwing a purple crust?

What safety measures are in place to make sure spa attendees don't attempt to drink all the spa wine?

Is this a cunning new plan created by the port producers for production from category D and E vineyards in Douro region?

Or have I missed the point.....

Posted: **Fri May 25, 2007 11:40 am**

Is this a cunning new plan created by the port producers for production from category D and E vineyards in Douro region?

Or have I missed the point.....

Nope, not the point, just the correct letter: "F" as in vineyards designated "F"

Posted: **Fri May 25, 2007 12:47 pm**

bridgema wrote: Would I come out throwing a purple crust?

Of course, would you expect anything less

For The Love Of Port

Taylor Fladgate spa . . .

Taylor Fladgate spa . . .