1880 Facts about Port and Madeira by Henry Vizetelly

In tlie Port Wine Country.

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mingle indiscriminately before the cottage doors. Such are the main features of Pinhao, which, fi'om its central position, is a place of some importance in the Alto Douro region.

VIEW OE PlJUliO.

The little river Pinhao is skirted on the left bank by a new macadamised road,and along this we ride,past vineyards, olive- groves, and water-mills,shaded by clustered oak and cork trees, with gleaming white casas and little hamlets picturesquely perched up the surrounding slopes. Among these is Sao Christovao, famous for its fine white Ports, bought up by Messrs. Offley, Forrester,and Co.,the largest shippers of these winesin Oporto. The road intersectsthe vineyards of the ancient Quinta do Noval,the property ofthe Visconde de Villar AJlen, and a steep narrow mountain track leads from the new highway to the buildings ofthe quinta,which commands one of the most magnificent prospects in the Alto Douro. From its highest altitude the waters of the Pinhao are aU but lost to view, being more or less hidden byjutting crags and branching foliage, but away in the distance there gleams the rapid Douro,looking far