Viewpoint of Borracheiro

Welcome to Porto da Cruz, where we pay tribute to the real MVPs of the wine world — the Borracheiros! These were the original wine transporters who literally carried the weight of the region’s famous wine on their shoulders. No pressure, right?

You’ll find this lovely homage in a garden right next to the Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, because, of course, what better place to honor wine heroes than right by a church? Balance, folks, it’s all about balance!

Now, let’s talk wine — this region is famous for its vinho seco americano, a dry red wine made from a type of grape called americana. This isn’t just any old wine; it’s the pride of Porto da Cruz, the kind that’ll have you saying, “I’ll take a bottle… or three.”

Back in the day, these borracheiros didn’t have fancy trucks or wine racks. Nope, they carried wine in a borracho, a goatskin sack, because why use regular bags when you can keep things rustic? You’ll see a barrel on the statue representing this traditional method — just imagine lugging that around all day! You’ve got to respect their commitment to the cause of making sure everyone had their wine.

And if you’re lucky enough to be here in September, you’re in for a treat — it’s celebration time! The local wine is at the heart of the festivities, so expect plenty of toasts, tastings, and maybe even a little dancing (after a few glasses, of course).

So raise a glass to the borracheiros, the unsung heroes who ensured that Porto da Cruz wine made it into the hands of many. After all, without them, who knows where all that delicious wine would have ended up?

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