Adega de Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo (Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo Wine Cellar), along with the support of the City Hall will launch the first wine bottle into space. The challenge was set by the architect from Guarda – António Saraiva – and the idea was supported by the scientist Carvalho Rodrigues, known as the “father” of the first Portuguese satellite.
António Saraiva has set the challenge to the Adega de Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, but also to the City Hall. The idea came from the realization that our navigators are a reference for astronauts. According to António Saraiva, ” during a visit to Portugal, one of Apollo XI’s astronauts made a point of taking pictures with the men who went out to sea, which was the connection he made”. The initiative matches with the commemorations of the V centenary of the first of circumnavigation to the globe by the Portuguese Fernão de Magalhães, which continues until 2022.
About this mission’s wine, the architect said only that “we want to have a different bottle, a special production and where on the label must include the coat of arms of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo”, additionally, the label will be prepared by his architecture office and Carvalho Rodrigues will be responsible for handling all the logistics to put this special wine in space.
The challenge was proposed before the president of the Adega Cooperativa, António Madeira and the City Hall mayor, Paulo Langrouva; in the presence of the Bishop of Guarda, D. Manuel Felício, the Secretary of State for Forests and Rural Development, Miguel João de Freitas, the president of the Serra da Estrela Cod Academy, José Luís Cabral and several businessmen, during the launching dinner of wine brands of US-based businessman José Rego, who is also supporting this initiative from across the Atlantic.
The public response of Paulo Langrouva – mayor of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo – did not wait, and the following morning, at the official opening session of the Festa Amendoeiras em Flor (a festival), the president announced “a great challenge that was set to us, but also to the Adega of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo and that we have decided to accept, because it will certainly project Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo to a level never seen before and I will announce it here, today, publicly, taking advantage of the presence of individuals coming from Spain [Deputy for Delegate of the Government of Castilla y León of Salamanca, Encarnación Pérez Álvarez and Vice-President of the Regional Government of Salamanca, Chabela de la Torre] and the Secretary of State for Forests and Rural Development, representing the Government of Portugal. We were challenged to send the first bottle of wine, duly prepared, to go into space”.
The president added that “obviously we could not decline because it is too important and we understand that it can boost Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo to another level. Let’s enjoy making this an historic moment by having the first bottle of wine in space”.
The Bishop of Guarda also did not hide his satisfaction and pleasure for this initiative and it is with the last words of the evening given by D. Manuel Felício that we finish this article “with the blessing of God and the courage of all, we have the future guaranteed.
