Van Zellers Ocean Aged Port is one of the most pioneering projects in the world of Port wine, combining centuries of Douro tradition with Portugal's deep connection to the Atlantic Ocean. Rather than viewing the sea as simply part of the country's history, Van Zellers & Co has made it an active participant in the ageing process, creating a wine that is as much about sustainability and heritage as it is about flavour.
The project began with the 2020 Vintage Port, produced from hand-harvested grapes grown in very old vineyards in the heart of the Douro Valley. As with the estate's classic Vintage Ports, the grapes were traditionally foot-trodden in granite lagares before fortification, preserving the wine's vibrant red fruit, cassis, plum and dark spice character.
In December 2022, just 102 bottles were submerged ten metres beneath the Atlantic Ocean off the Portuguese coast near Sines. Resting underwater for eleven months in complete darkness at a constant temperature and under approximately one additional bar of natural pressure, the bottles matured in conditions unlike any conventional cellar. The gentle movement of the sea and stable underwater environment were expected to soften the tannins, enhance integration and add further complexity while preserving the freshness of the wine. Over time, the bottles themselves became naturally covered in marine algae, making every bottle a unique record of its journey beneath the Atlantic before being recovered on Portugal's National Sea Day.
Ocean Aged is equally a statement of environmental responsibility. Van Zellers & Co partnered with the Oceanário de Lisboa to support educational programmes for schoolchildren in the Douro region, teaching future generations about marine biodiversity, climate awareness and the essential relationship between healthy oceans and healthy vineyards. Part of the proceeds from every bottle directly contributes to these initiatives.
The project also extends its sustainability beyond the wine itself. The bottles are presented in a protective case created with Portuguese eco-brand Zouri, manufactured entirely from recycled plastic collected along Portugal's coastline. This collaboration transforms marine waste into functional design, reinforcing the project's central message that innovation and environmental stewardship can coexist.
Portugal has always been defined by the sea. Although the country's land is relatively small, its maritime territory is almost forty times larger, making the ocean an inseparable part of its identity. Ocean Aged Port serves as a reminder that the future of wine is closely linked to the health of the marine environment.
The philosophy behind the project is clear:
"To best take care of our land, we need to take care of our seas."
More than an exceptional collector's Port, Van Zellers Ocean Aged Port is a celebration of Portuguese heritage, a tribute to centuries of maritime exploration, and a powerful example of how fine wine can contribute to a more sustainable future.
