With its source in Spain, at an altitude of 2 060m, the Douro is an impetuous river, tamed by numerous dams that jut into the Atlantic around Porto. On the way, over time it has hewn out a steep granite valley, famed for its Porto and vinho verde vineyards, through the mountainous north of Portugal. Amid the vineyards, the olive groves and orchards, the landscapes are dotted with quintas (wineries), solares (manors) and churches.