Kevin Joins The Cavaleiros
Posted by Rebecca Scaife on February 10th, 2012
In the recent past I was invited to Portugal by Joâo Portugal Ramos whose Alentejo and Duoro wines are exclusive to O’Briens, to become a Cavaleiro in the Confraria do Vinhos do Porto. I kindly accepted the invitation and Beryl, my wife and I duly arrived in Oporto for the ceremony which was a Black-Tie event.
It was a wonderful international affair which was held in the Grand Hall of the old Stock Exchange. Forty three people were honoured for their contribution at various levels in the production and promotion of Portuguese wines.
After the formal ceremony we were paraded through the cobbled streets of Oporto, led by six mounted guardsmen
and flanked by senior members of the Confraria all dressed in their ceremonial cloaks and hats. That evening there was a wonderful banquet for four hundred people, overlooking the river Douro and across towards Villa Nova de Gaia. It was a moment of pride for both of us as we were the only two Irish people at the event. My thanks goes to Joâo for giving me the honour.
At the Gala dinner, Tons white was selected out of twenty five entries to be the pouring white wine for the evening.
The next day, it was off to see the progress that has been achieved at the amazing Duorum vineyard project. Then later that day, a train back to Lisbon and home. Kevin O’Brien, Retail Director.
February 15th, 2012 at 2:54 am
This looks like a great experience! Fine wines are really great for these events!