Port wine was traditionally moved from the Quinta to Porto in the Barcos Rabelos, a flat bottomed boat known only in the Douro valley. The river was very rough with gorges and rapids along its length. The dams raised the river in these areas  so now it is a peaceful and controlled flow. The Rabelos were replaced with road and rail transport. Port is unusual in that it is the only wine that is matured off the vineyard.

Rabelos are now used for tourism and publicity but are still made and repaired by hand.