Calém wine cellars, Wine room in Santa Marinha, Portugal
Calém is a wine cellar in Santa Marinha situated near the Douro River with underground storage areas filled with wooden casks. The spaces maintain steady temperatures needed for wine aging, and visitors walk through multiple levels where barrels line the chambers.
António Alves Calém founded the wine cellars in 1859 and established a trade route to Brazil where wines were exchanged for exotic woods. This trade partnership helped establish and expand operations in the early years.
The name comes from founder António Alves Calém, and visitors can see how the house continues traditional winemaking practices passed through generations. The craft of Port wine production remains visible in daily operations and the work happening throughout the cellars.
The site is open to visitors most days with guided tours that take people through the underground areas. After the tour, visitors can taste different Port wine varieties and learn more about the production process.
A specific product called Velhotes started being sold under that name from 1934 onward and became one of the most purchased brands in the country. The Calém family oversaw its production across four generations, making it a recognized name.
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