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Vinho dos Mortos (Wine of the Dead) is a wine from Boticas, in Trás-os-Montes, Portugal, that ages in bottles buried under a layer of earth. The tradition began in 1809, when locals buried their wine to hide it from French troops. It is low in alcohol, lightly sparkling, with lively acidity and red fruit notes.
Origin and history
In 1809, during the second French invasion led by Marshal Soult, Napoleon’s army reached the area of today’s town of Boticas. To save their wine from looting, the inhabitants buried the bottles in the ground. When the troops left and the wine was dug up, it had gained unexpected and pleasant qualities. Because it had been buried, it became known as the Wine of the Dead.
The habit of burying the wine stayed and became a local tradition. The municipality of Boticas keeps a historical archive dedicated to the Vinho dos Mortos and organises events that recreate the time of the French invasions.
How it is made
The grapes are picked by hand and the wine is made in a traditional way. After bottling, it goes through the stage that sets it apart: ageing in the bottle under a layer of earth. In the dark, at a constant temperature, the wine evolves slowly. The light fizz probably results from a second fermentation inside the sealed bottle.
Today the tradition is kept by the Sousa Pereira family, whose ancestral house dates from 1792. Nuno Pereira took over the project from his father, Armindo de Sousa Pereira, in 2020, focusing on hand-tended vines, regenerative farming and a community harvest that has become a day of celebration.
Where it comes from
Vinho dos Mortos comes from Boticas, in the district of Vila Real, in Trás-os-Montes, near Chaves. The soils are granitic and the climate mountainous.
How to serve it
It is a light, fresh, slightly sparkling wine with marked acidity and red fruit notes. Serve it chilled; it pairs well with Trás-os-Montes cooking, such as cured sausages and pork dishes. As a very small production in numbered bottles, it also makes a fine gift for lovers of wines with a story.
Where to buy
At Ra-Ro you can buy Vinho dos Mortos from Boticas, produced by Nuno Pereira’s family. In September 2026, the product page listed prices from €24.40 to €115.40, depending on the option chosen. Meet the producer on the Vinho dos Mortos page.
Frequently asked questions
What is Vinho dos Mortos?
It is a wine from Boticas, in Trás-os-Montes, that ages in buried bottles. It is low in alcohol, lightly sparkling and has lively acidity.
Why is it called Wine of the Dead?
Because in 1809 the people of Boticas buried their wine to hide it from French troops. When dug up, it had changed for the better, and the name stuck.
Where can I buy Vinho dos Mortos?
In Boticas or online at Ra-Ro, which sells the Vinho dos Mortos of the Sousa Pereira family, in numbered bottles from a limited production.
