Rita Marta, a member of the Martha family (https://marthasgroup.com), gives a tour of their old cellars in the Douro Valley. The walls of the main house date back to 1727, although they have been reconstructed over time. The family has been in the grape-growing business since then, but only started making wine in the early 19th century. They initially sold their grapes and later began selling their own bottled wine in 1970. The family primarily focuses on producing Tawny ports, which are traditionally more popular among Portuguese families. They also have French casks from Bordeaux that they use to age their ports and spirits. The estate is located in a narrow part of the Douro Valley and has olive trees strategically placed on the mountains to help with water absorption. The Martha family is currently in the fifth generation of running the business, which produces port wines, Douro wines, and spirits. THIS IS EPISODE 95 OF UNDERSTANDING WINE WITH AUSTIN BEEMAN http://www.austinbeeman.com/podcast SPECIAL THANKS: Rita Marta for taking me behind the scenes at Martha's Wines & Spirits.  EQUIPMENT: Main Camera: Canon R8 https://amzn.to/486cHQf 2nd Camera: DJi Pocket 2 https://amzn.to/3GEwqL3  Mic:  Audio Technica AT875R https://amzn.to/3TaIfAn Travel Bag: Peak Design Travel Line Backpack 45L. https://amzn.to/41b6FvA Camera Bag:  Peak Design Everyday Messenger Bag. https://amzn.to/481yGaU   FOLLOW AUSTIN BEEMAN'S WINE ADVENTURE Website: http://www.austinbeeman.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinbeeman/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@austincbeeman   WORK WITH AUSTIN:  http://www.austinbeeman.com/about-me  or acbwine@gmail.com  --- AUSTIN BEEMAN… is a veteran of the wine business with nearly a quarter century’s experience in Marketing and Sales (wholesale, retail, & DTC.)  Austin has a deep knowledge of the global wine business with expertise in Wholesale Distribution, Brand Management, B2B & B2C Fine Wine Sales, and Wine Marketing with Quantifiable ROI. Austin Beeman most recently executed on that expertise for Cutting Edge Selections as Vice President of Marketing / Brand Manager Emerging Regions.  While Director of Marketing for Bonny Doon Vineyard, he managed one of the most successful crowdfunding campaigns in the wine industry.  His video podcast “Understanding Wine with Austin Beeman” has been praised in USA Today and has reached nearly one million wine lovers around the world. Austin holds the prestigious MBA in Wine & Spirits Management from Kedge Business School in Bordeaux.