Cockburn's Port Lodge
R. de Serpa Pinto 346, 4400-307, Vila Nova de Gaia - Porto and Douro
The Cockburn’s cellars are the most extensive in the historic quarter of Vila Nova de Gaia, facing the twin city of Porto across the Douro River. The sturdy granite walls of the Cockburn’s lodge house 6,518 seasoned oak barrels of maturing Port since 1815.
At the Cockburn’s lodge you will experience a comprehensive visitor centre that provides an authentic experience of a fully working Port Cellar. Here, after the museum tour you will enjoy some of the most exclusive Ports either in the terrace, filled with vines, creating a magical atmosphere, or in the tasting rooms where the guided tasting takes places. And what a better way to end this experience than to take home your favourite Port?
The Symington family, 5thgeneration Port producers, acquired Cockburn’s vineyards, cellars and wine stocks in 2006 and the brand itself in 2010. The cellars were only are open to public visits recently and at the Cockburn’s Cellar you will experience a comprehensive visitor centre that provides an authentic experience of a fully working Port Cellar.
Sections of the various buildings which make up the cellars have been adapted to receive visitors but without changing the character and the primary function of the buildings. In other words, the cellars continue to be first and foremost dedicated to the ageing of Port.
When visiting you will enter via a stone-paved patio where in warm weather, a glass of Port can be enjoyed here while sitting around granite tables shaded by overhanging vines.
Stay curious from the beginning has in the reception area you can contemplate original 19thcentury watercolours and drawings by Baron Joseph James Forrester, what a plus to start this wine tour. One of the works is a fine sepia and wash drawing of one of the River Douro’s most notorious rapids, theCachão da Valeira, where Baron Forrester unfortunately drowned when his boat capsized.
At the museum you will discover original ledgers, winemakers’ notebooks and letters dating from the company’s foundation and interesting insights into the pioneering research on Douro grape varieties carried out by one of Cockburn’s —and Port’s — legendary figures.
In the dimly lit underground Vintage Port cellars you will enter a journey through Cockburn’s history of fine winemaking with bottles of Vintage Ports made in three different centuries, from the legendary 1868 and 1896 to the exceptional 1908 and the lauded 2011.
And you will pass the longest ageing gallery of any Port cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia, filled with the impressive sight of thousands of barrels, stacked four high.
A highlight of the visit to Cockburn’s is the possibility to view the coopers at work, wielding mallets with which they disassemble barrels stave by stave for maintenance and then reassemble them — a unique scene which has changed little over the centuries.
The tasting room is an extension of the Port cellars, and only a wood-framed glass screen separates the two areas. This gives the tasting room a special atmosphere under the high timbered ceiling. Seating is available for 80 people who can select a range of Cockburn’s Ports for tasting. Professional guides will introduce the wines and be on hand to answer any questions
John Smithed Room
This exclusive room has history on its walls, with just 6 tables seating up to 36 people, is a private room where you can opt for a premium tasting and will sample a range of Cockburn’s fine and rare Vintage Ports and Aged Tawnies.
Wine Shop
The family’s Ports from the Cockburn’s range and from its sister Port companies and DOC Douro red and white wines are available for purchase alongside wine books, accessories, Port-infused chocolate, and special gift packs.
Location & Direction
The Cockburn’s Port Cellars can be reached by car (on-site parking available), by bus or on foot.
The Cockburn’s Port Cellars is located in Vila Nova de Gaia.
On foot: Rua Serpa Pinto, 346
4400-307 Vila Nova de Gaia
GPS N 41º 1' 33.798", W 8º 61' 8.253"
By car:Rua Leonor de Freitas, 225
4431-901 Vila Nova de Gaia
GPS: N 41° 7' 59.894", W 8° 37' 6.661"
Conditions
Category | Conditions |
Reservation | Subject to the confirmation of availability |
Visiting hours | April to October: 09:30 am to 6:00 pm (last tour 5:30 pm); November to March: 09:30 am to 5:30 pm (last tour 5:00 pm) |
Cancellation | Prepayment | Vary depending on the type of experiences. Check the conditions of each experience in your Reservation |
Means of payment | Mastercard; Visa |
General | Booking Guarantee with credit card number; VAT at the legal rate included; Supplements have to be paid separately |
Services
Category | Services |
Wine Tourism Activities | Wine Tasting; Guided Tour to the Facilities |
Restaurants | Bars | Store | Wine Shop; Wine Cellar |
Parking | Free and Private (without reservation) |
Facilities | Facilities for the disabled; Air conditioning |
Spoken Languages | Spanish; French; English; Italian; Português |