Roy Hersh

Founder—For the Love of Port  |  Port and Madiera Brotherhood 

Roy Hersh is a professional wine judge, writer and educator who generously shares his knowledge and passion for Port and Madeira. Yearly, he conducts unparalleled tours to Portugal where guests spend time with winemakers, taste exceptional Port, stroll through vineyards stomp on grapes and dine at first-rate restaurants.

On this episode, Roy Hersh recounts when his love of Port began and describes the kinds of memorable experiences his tour groups typically encounter. He also opens up about being the only person outside of the Portuguese wine industry who has been inducted into both the Port and Madeira Brotherhoods.

Learn more about Port wine at, For the Love of Port: Collective Port Wisdom

For the Love of Port

Port Harvest Tour 1, 2018

Our whirlwind tour took us through Porto, Gaia and the heart of the Douro Valley wine country. It’s an “eduvacation” that we highly recommend to anyone serious about learning about Port and table wine. Where else can you taste a Port from 1827 from the family home of multi-generation winemakers? Where else can you walk through one of the top 10 vineyards in the world or tread on grapes in the traditional way?

Join the next Ultimate Portugal Wine Experience

For more information or reservations, email: roy@fortheloveofport.com

We learned a stunning amount of information in 10 days and we are excited to share it. We break down the different types of Port so you can feel more confident when choosing a bottle to open with friends or age in the cellar. Port 101 is in session!

*See below for the Ports we liked, that are readily available in the U.S.

Roy Hersh spends much of his time assessing Ports.

Mario Ferreira is a master of logistics on the For Love of Port tours.

Roy Hersh has an extensive collection of old Port in a room he dubs, The Museum.

A view of Porto from across the river in Gaia.

Architecture in the historical district of Porto.

Historical district of Porto

At Villar d’Allen (The Allen Family home) where three generations live in what looks like a museum.

The Allen family cellar is filled with extremely old bottles, each with a sculpture of mold.

An 1827 Port pulled from the Allen cellar.

Grandfather and grandson pouring the filtered 1827 Port.

Open an old bottle of Port with heated tongs and then a cool towel.

This large Port barrel is called a Tonal. The ends of metal rods shown here go through the length of the barrel to keep it together.

Barrel tasting at the Borges family barrel room.

Luisa Borges was the youngest female winemaker in Portugal when she started. She created exceptional wines for her label, Vieira de Sousa.

The famed, Sandeman port tasting at Quinta do Seixo.

Lunch and tastings with José Maria Calém at his family home.

Boat ride down the Duoro River with views of century’s old terraced vineyards.

The quaint town of Pinhão in the Duoro Valley.

Dinner with Cristiano Van Zeller, another prominant winemaker of the Douro.

The blending artist for DR Port and S. Leonardo. Some of the BEST Ports we tasted.

An assortment of incredible dishes created by world class chefs on the tour.

Beautiful Niepoort tasting and tour.

We had a fantastic tasting in the Ferrerira Port house lab.

Enoteca 1756. old tawny Port from 1877 and halibut with potato.

Quinta do Panascal produces fruit for Fonseca. Chris Forbes guided us through a wonderful tasting lineup.

Quinta do Mourão is arguably one of the best wineries in the world. This is where we tasted the 100+ year old “mother” port, straight from the barrel.

Miguel Braga of S. Leonardo, at lunch on his patio discussing his 90-year Port.

Miguel Braga and Dave posing outside of the Quinta.

Caesar Pinacho, winemaker at Vista Alegre, showing us the steep, vineyard hillside.

Tour through Quinta do Noval’s Nacional vineyard, considered one of the top 10 in the world.

The lifeblood of the Douro Valley.

Winemaker at Quinta do Portal, Paulo Coutinho, uses the barrel thief to steal some mystery Port that was at least 100 years old. It. Was. Heaven.

Recommended Ports

Sandeman

10, 20, 30 and 40-year ports readily available in the U.S., all are good so choose the one that best serves your price range. If you’re feeling a little spendy, the 2000 vintage classic blend is excellent.

Visit Sandeman
Shop at Total Wine
Shop at Wine.com

Quinta do Noval

10 and 20-year tawny, Noval Black, the 2012 LBV, and the powerhouse 2015 Quinta Vintage Port.

Visit Quinta do Noval
Shop at Total Wine
Shop at Esquin Wine & Spirits

Fonseca

10 and 20-year tawny, the 2000 vintage port, the 2008 vintage port even though it is still pretty young and features gripping tannins, and the best of the best: the 1985 vintage port.

Visit Fonseca
Shop at Esquin Wine & Spirits

Kopke

There is a wide range of tawny, vintage and colheita port to explore here.

Shop at Esquin Wine & Spirits