The Port Wine Cellars

IN FRONT OF THE CITY OF PORTO, IN VILA NOVA DE GAIA, THE CAVES ARE WHERE PORT WINE IS AGED.

Visits to the Port Wine Cellars are one of the most picturesque experiences in the city that gives its name to the famous nectar!

On these visits, a guide accompanies visitors through the cellar facilities, explaining how the grapes are harvested and how their wines are made.

At the end of each visit, there is a tasting where two glasses of wine are offered: one for red wine and one for white wine.

Get to know some of the best known cellars in the region, and a bit of the centenary history of each one.

 

CAVES RAMOS PINTO

Located in a historic building on the waterfront in Vila Nova de Gaia, Caves Ramos Pinto were founded by Adriano Ramos Pinto in 1880.

It began to establish itself in the Brazilian market at the beginning of the 20th century.

Half of the wine production was exported to South America, which ended up conquering connoisseurs in Portugal and the rest of Europe.

Adriano Ramos Pinto dedicated special attention to the packaging and promotion of wines, which made his wines become a quality benchmark.

This route also resulted in a collection of various artistic objects, on display in the Museological Area of Casa Ramos Pinto.

Realizing that the quality of its wines was beginning to be outlined in the Douro Vinhateiro, region, Casa Ramos Pinto eventually became the owner of several farms.

In this way, he was able to ensure control and quality of the entire production process. In this way, unique nectars were created, with their own signature.

In 1990, Casa Ramos Pinto became part of the Roederer Group, whose history has identical characteristics. This gives rise to a greater international dimension.

When visiting the cellars, you will be able to appreciate the quality of Port Wine, and visit the other spaces, such as the old offices and the museum.

 

CAVES SANDEMAN

These cellars are located opposite the Historic Center of Porto, in a building built in 1811.

There is a space called Sandeman Hall, with free admission, where visitors “travel” to London.

It was in this city that, in 1790, George Sandeman launched himself into the Port and Jerez wine business.

In this space you will find an impressive collection of paintings, photographs, ceramics, old bottles and other items.

These artefacts are part of the exhibition “Sandeman – the Art of a Brand”.

The cellars also have an auditorium where it is possible to have personalized access, in the language of each visitor.

There is also a gallery of images that highlight the Douro Valley.

This brand began to make use of advertising in the early 1900s, when it was not considered good practice for quality wines.

The figure of Sandeman Don continues to awaken some mystique. It is a strong presence in the imagination of several generations.

The strong pioneering and innovative character of the SANDEMAN brand is faithfully reflected in the mysterious and enigmatic figure of the “Don”, considered one of the first brand images and one of the first logos in the world.

 

CAVES FERREIRA

We've all heard of one of the most charismatic figures in Portuguese history – Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira.

Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira (1811-1896), affectionately popularized by the Douro people as “Ferreirinha”, was one of the most outstanding personalities in the history of the wine region.

A woman who became a symbol not only of entrepreneurship and Douro winegrowing, but also an example of generosity towards those most in need.

The Ferreira company was born in 1751, created by a family of winegrowers from the Douro.

Dona Antónia was one of the biggest contributors to the consolidation of the brand. The Ferreira brand has a very rich tradition and plays a prominent role in the history of Port Wine.

Caves Ferreira invites you to discover a brand that is over 250 years old, a symbol of the highest quality and of the Portuguese heart and soul.

 

CAVES CÁLEM

With more than 235,000 visitors a year, Caves Calém are a world reference.

The cellars have an interactive museum, which allows you to discover the Douro region and its wine.

It is possible to learn about the most favorable soil for production, the various categories, the various aromas of the wines, among many other things.

In the visits to the cellars, you will get to know the Douro Demarcated Region, the Port wine process and the history of the House.

The cellars also remain active and open to visitors. It is possible to visit the barrels, which are in the aging process, protected from light and heat.

Visitors also have a Calém wine tasting, where they can taste a White Port and a Tawny Port.

These cellars thus assert themselves as one of the most emblematic places for those who want to deepen their knowledge of Port Wine.

 

REAL COMPANHIA VELHA

Real Companhia Velha was founded in 1756, by royal license from King José I.

Also known as the Royal Oporto Wine Company, it is the oldest producer and exporter of Port Wine.

Over the past two centuries, it has gained an ever-increasing reputation among the most demanding consumers.

Its cellars cover an area of over 100,000m2, and contain a wide selection of Tawny Port Wines.

These are aged in barrels and form part of the finest vintage wines.

This has contributed to the fact that the prestige of Real Companhia Velha has remained unchanged over more than 250 years.

In the Company's cellars, Port Wine rests in casks of noble wood, made by coopers who have been working in this art for several generations.

They stay in these barrels for several years, until each wine reaches its exact maturation point.

The proximity to the sea gives it the best climatic conditions to help with the aging process of Port Wine, characterized by the evolution of color and the velvety taste and which consists of a natural “oxidation” process – a mysterious form of “breathing” through of the pores of the wood.