The morning started off here with a tasting of about 40 Vinho Verde wines from around the region to give us an overview.
And we're off!
We passed by some of the verdant scenery...
Our sweet mountain bikes got ridden hard.
We cross the Lima...
A view of the river.
Jill Zimorsky & I stop for a breather.
More Lima River. Most of the Vinho Verde subregions are named after the rivers that cut across them.
We stop in the woods for lunch and... for the brave few, a swim across the river!
Along the ride we saw several different vine training systems.
Some vines were hung pergola-style across the path.
Here are some more high-trained vines.
A few vineyards had switched to VSP in the last few years.
These aromatic laureiro grapes make big bunches and hang heavy.
Most people also plant corn near the vines. It's common to see a square field of corn surrounded by high-trained vine systems, called "ramada."
All was going smoothly until... Jesse Rodriguez's chain broke! We all decided to stop for a rest ("No Somm Left Behind!") while we waited for the replacement chain to arrive. We explored the vineyard, ate some grapes, played someone's playlist, and hydrated.
Meanwhile, Pascaline & Jesse Becker found 4 cases of wine discarded by the side of the road. We took a bottle and passed it around as a refreshing treat while we waited for the bike mechanic.
Hey, Brad Royale has just taken a deep swig of the nectar, and the look on his face really sums up the flavor.
Finally we are back on our way. We pass by a series of fountains,
.....we even saw a waterfall!
And at the end of the road, we saw some guys playing soccer and we invaded the field for a full-on game.
By the end, we were thirsty for more wine...
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