I’ve always been a wine lover and passionate about art.

My first job was selling wine in London. Later, I moved to Paris and opened an art gallery. As a writer, I have always written about cultural and socially engaged subjects. Through these experiences, I became fascinated by the place wine occupies in art and realized I really enjoy talking to people who make wine. I discovered that a talented wine maker is like a great artist: they create in the exciting space between agriculture and artistic invention.

During these years, I often travelled to most of Europe’s notable wine regions. Yet on my first visit to Portugal’s Douro Valley, I was knocked completely sideways by the grandeur of the landscape. I soon found this spectacular place has a different rhythm from other wine regions: it’s peaceful but with the energetic undercurrent of strong local communities and gifted producers making superb wines. The traditional way of life is balanced with bold innovation, resulting in truly great wine making.

I returned often to the Douro. My best trips were those where I met the people who make a place special. I got to know the locals. Later, I became one of them by moving to Porto.

Grape Discoveries was born from my desire to share Douro wines full and unique context with people like you, to show you where its physical and cultural terroir intertwine to produce extraordinary wine.

I’ve curated a textured experience for you to intimately explore the cultural phenomena that makes Douro wine special. We get close to and connect with the land, the people, their heritage and their creativity to discover together, how they create amazingly exceptional wine.

Our day is a rich experiential deep-dive at a gentle pace you control. You’ll meet our local friends and contacts, and be immersed in the real Douro Valley that many people don’t see.

I look forward to sharing this wonderful place with you, so you can make your own unforgettable memories of the Douro Valley!

James Mayor

Founder of Grape Discoveries