Every harvest, we have had interns who came for the experience and the opportunity to learn more about production and the harvest in a region as unique as ours, the Douro. They come to us eager for knowledge and with the inherent enthusiasm of someone about to start a new challenge.
This year, we have Júlia, Katy, and Schalk.
Júlia, 31, came from Rio de Janeiro and travelled through Ireland before settling in Portugal. Her passion for gastronomy led her to Coimbra, where she earned her degree with an integrated internship in the south of France and had contact with wine tourism, the subject of her final thesis. Her experience in the area varied from wine tourism guide to sales assistant, and following her interest and curiosity in wine production, she took a master's degree in Oenology/Viticulture. She came to the Douro because she loves fortified wine and everything the region represents and involves. This is Julia's first harvest, and although it's tiring work, both physically and mentally, it's also been a lot of fun. The atmosphere helps a lot and makes everything flow easily, from Susete, an excellent teacher, to her fellow trainees who, having more experience, share their knowledge and help each other.
Katy, 34, was born in the UK but comes to us from New Zealand, where she currently lives. Ever since she could drink alcoholic beverages, she has loved wine. When Katy arrived in New Zealand she entered the wine industry by working in various positions, from wine tourism to production. She works for a wine producer and has a hand in all functions - from the vineyard to production and tastings. Her interest in Douro and Portugal (she has family in Cascais) comes from the diversity of indigenous grape varieties and her love of fortified wine, in this case, Port. She also harvested in New Zealand and the south of the UK, producing sparkling wine and Pinot Noir. This harvest will be Katy's fourth and her second away from home. She can't help but be dazzled by the landscape whenever she walks from the house to the winery daily. The trainees work very well, and their bond is so strong that they have been nicknamed ‘The 3 Musketeers'. Susete and the rest of the team are welcoming and helpful, making Katy feel at home.
Schalk, 25, was born in Pretoria, the capital of South Africa. His first contact with the wine industry was when he went to university in Stellenbosch to study Marine Biology. During his studies, he worked in wine-tasting rooms, and his love for wine made him change his degree to something related to it - Wine Biotechnology. Since graduating, he has worked as many harvests as possible to gain broader experience. He works as an assistant winemaker at a producer in Stellenbosch, and this is his fifth harvest, his first abroad. His interest in the Douro region came on the recommendation of his boss, who studied and worked with Susete, our winemaker. Schalk is overwhelmed by the beauty of the region's landscape - 'this place has feeling, and photographs don't do it justice.’ The whole team is helpful, pleasant and friendly, even when you can't speak their mother tongue. 'Susete is very knowledgeable and eager to teach and shares very easily. She considers our group of trainees when planning the winery's life, even though we all know the grapes are in charge. The group of trainees has clicked well and has been fun to work with.'
