Vincent Bouchard

“My passion for wine is genetic, as I am preceded in my family by eight generations of French winemakers."

During my childhood in France every day after school and before my homework I itched to be picked up by my father, Joseph Bouchard, co-director of the prominent Bouchard Père et Fils winery in Burgundy, to accompany him on his inspection of the pruning, planting and harvesting of the family's 200 acres of Grand and Premier Cru vineyards.

All school holidays were spent working in the vast family-owned forests in Burgundy, Nevers, Allier and Vosges. Led by my mother's father and in the company of two older brothers, we walked for miles and miles to evaluate trees for the anticipated oak harvest.

Today, I work as a worldwide exporter of small oak barrels for 5 French cooperages, and I continue the family winemaking tradition, alongside enologist Jorge Alves, making fine Porto and Red Wines at Quinta do Tedo.


One day in 1978 my uncle and director of the Bouchard family company, Claude Bouchard, introduced me to Mr. Robert Mondavi during one of his educational tours in Burgundy. Mr. Mondavi quickly convinced me to come to California to study wine marketing. I did well by following his recommendation, but I did even better by later marrying a Californian and specialist in Italian wines, Kay Steffey, who I met at the International Pinot Noir Celebration in Oregon in 1988.

After our first visit to Portugal's Douro Valley with my wife, Kay, in 1989, we saw great opportunity for restoring an old property in one of Portugal's finest appellations. During the following three years I hiked all over this region, going up and down steeply terraced domains to visit all the maintained and abandoned vineyards and wineries. I met adorable and helpful locals, and all the mean dogs. "No Trespassing" signs did not exist in Portugal at that time.

In 1992, Kay and I finally decided upon a Quinta that answered all our requirements. The purchase and restoration of Quinta do Tedo included 37 acres of vineyards, 22 acres of olive and fruit trees, one winery, two large houses, breathtaking vistas and, of course, a donkey.

Together, Kay and I have successfully transformed our passions into reality to produce world-class Portos and superb Red Wines at Quinta do Tedo. We continue to renovate the 250-year old property. Today, the Quinta’s traditional, well-kept facilities boast modern wine-making technology, a tasting room open to the public and a Bed and Breakfast. We are proud to call Quinta do Tedo our home.

My grandfather, Antonin Bouchard, seventh generation winemaker at Bouchard Père et Fils, told me repeatedly that...
 

“Wine is made first in the vineyards with the grapes and second during vinification. After that, it's too late, as the wine already has its own character."

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He compared wine to a teenager: "its character during aging can smooth out or increase, but the dominant traits will never change."

My grandfather, living proof of his own analogy, had a very strong Burgundian character that never changed. I did experience it, at my own expense, while growing up and remember it well. Today, I apply my grandfather's invaluable recommendations to “make the most balanced wine possible by respecting the fruit, its flavor, aroma, sweetness and delicacy.” I honor the grape’s natural expression and the authentic effect and finish the wine has on the palate. I ensure that all is in harmony.

At Quinta do Tedo, only Portos and Red Wines made from the finest quality grapes, selected by myself and enologist Jorge Alves, and controlled by the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto, will be bottled and sold under the name Quinta do Tedo.

- Vincent Bouchard