In 2004, Francois Lurton made his first two wines in the DO Douro, Portugal. Francois was attracted to diversity of varietals, the ancestral traditions, and the vine terraces and terroirs. Barco Negro is a blend of traditional port varieties Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, and Tinto Roriz. The brand is named for the black barges that transported the old port casks from the wineries along the Douro and out to sea. Francois additionally owns a small 10 hectare plot where he grows the grapes for his single Quinta Beira Douro and single Quinta do Malho. Two new sku's will be launched in 2011: a Barco Negro White blend and then a reserve level Barco Negro red, which will replace the Pilheiros range.