“Oh my God, this company is older than my country” – The US ambassador on a visit to Real Companhia Velha in the 1970s.

Real Companhia Velha is the oldest wine company in Portugal, having recently celebrated 265 years of constant trading since 1756.

In the mid-18th century, there was a crisis with the port market due to a reduction of exports, extreme low prices & the situation being worsened by the fact the trade was dominated & controlled by British merchants.

With the support of a number of personalities including the King D. Jos I, the Portuguese Prime Minister Sebastio Jos de Carvalho e Melo, aka the Marquis of Pombal, a decision was made to create a chartered company. Its aim was to break the monopoly of the English Trading Post, to balance supply & demand, to ensure the quality & authenticity of the product & to protect it from disloyal competition by wines from other parts of the kingdom. All of this with royal approval & it soon became one of the Portuguese states greatest sources of income. This was the origin of Real Companhia Velha.

Since 1960, Real Companhia Velha has been run by the Silva Reis family, who have dedicated their efforts to the production of both port & Douro wines, focusing on the study & development of the Douro terroir & sustainability.

The 3rd generation of the family has Pedro Silva Reis Junior as the resident winemaker, Pedro Silva Reis, his father, as the Master Blender (for over 40 years) & Tiago Silva Reis developing the market to show a company that combines innovation with tradition in the 5 Quintas they own, which are considered some of the best in the Douro Valley.

Production

Colheitas definitely deserve more attention. They are too often underrated & undervalued in the UK but loved in Portugal. I believe that the great Colheitas are fully equal to the great vintage ports, whose reputation typically overshadows them.

In the port context, a Colheita is simply a tawny with a vintage date, aged in cask to provide a special character to the wine. This process lasts a minimum of 7 years for the younger Colheitas & others with 50 years plus aging for richness & smoothness.

We decided to stock some that we considered fantastic but there is many more We will keep refreshing the years in accordance with stock availability & prices. Contact us if you want to know about specific years & to keep updated on the years, as it all can change very quickly with limited availability.

Tasting Notes

Old barrels give power & structure to this port. Ripened fruit, raisins & prunes with a long elegant finish. Fabulous acidity.