Douro Winemakers Take a Stand: Blocking Régua Bridge in Protest Against Crisis

Winemakers in the Douro region have taken to the streets, leaving their vehicles behind to blockade the Régua bridge on foot. This dramatic protest was set to the soundtrack of Zeca Afonso's iconic "Grândola Vila Morena" and the national anthem, as producers sought to draw attention to the deepening crisis in the Douro wine industry.

The protest began early in the morning, with vehicles abandoned along the Avenida Diocese de Vila Real, leading down to the Corgo warehouses roundabout. The demonstrators then gathered on the bridge's deck, making their voices heard in a peaceful yet powerful manner.

Jorge Teixeira, a producer and merchant from Poiares, voiced the frustration of many: "We went as far as they let us. The authorities surrounded Régua and wouldn't let us pass. Now, we're trying to block the bridge to see if we'll be heard and if someone will define our lives." Teixeira criticized the lack of concrete measures from the Ministry of Agriculture, despite announcements regarding distillation plans.

The Ministry's proposed action plan for Douro includes using "grapes for wine to distill," aiming to reduce wine surpluses in the region and ensure a minimum income for winemakers. However, the lack of details on participation, grape quantities, and final amounts has left producers in limbo.

Tiago Fonseca, from São João da Pesqueira, highlighted the dire situation: "It's tough. The government isn't looking at this with seeing eyes. We're days away from the harvest and still don't have a harvest communication. We don't know what to do with our grapes." Fonseca, who returned from Switzerland three years ago to take over the family vineyard, emphasized the need for short, medium, and long-term solutions.

The protest also saw calls for stronger inspection in Douro to ensure the authenticity of the wine, with Albano Fernandes from São João da Pesqueira stating, "We have an IVDP representative who doesn't defend us."

By 8:30 AM, the protesters moved from the bridge deck to the roundabout at the city's entrance, continuing their demonstration in hopes of securing a future for the Douro wine industry.