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Real Companhia Velha

Rua Azevedo Magalhães, N.º 314, 4430-022, Vila Nova de Gaia - Porto and Douro

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€ 20,00
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Real Companhia Velha played an important role in the regulation, production and trade of Port Wine, so we can say, conclusively, that the Company's history is the history of Port Wine.

In Detail

Founded in 1756 by a Royal Charter of King José I, King of Portugal, under the auspices of his Prime Minister the Marquis of Pombal, the Real Companhia Velha, also known as Royal Oporto Wine Company, is the oldest Port Wine company of Portugal .

The centennial basements of Real Companhia Velha, located in Vila Nova de Gaia facing Porto carefully store a wide selection of Port Tawny wines - aged in oak barrels - as well as Vintage Port , keeping this way the prestige and reputation that this company enjoys for over 250 years.

In the cellars and in the silence of their warehouses, Port wine rests in barrels of noble wood. Sleeping there, in a unique peace, the barrels and vats seem like they are lost in time. 10, 20 , 30, ... , the required time for each wine to reach the exact point of maturation.

Infrastructures


Visitor Centre
The tasting room is decorated to perfection, with benches and tables made ​​of the same wood of the barrels by coopers of Real Companhia Velha, and has several historical images that show the visitor an atmosphere full of 257 years of history. At the end of the tasting you can visit the friendly shop and boutique with the full range of products from Real Companhia Velha, brands like Royal Oporto, Quinta das Carvalhas, Delaforce and others, are available to the visitor.

Reception and Auditorium
The experience begins at the reception. The entrance room decorated with ancient artefacts of the Company, a wine exhibitor and centennial paintings and a cosy fireplace mark the difference.

Then you enter the auditorium with capacity for 60 people, where you can see a short film exclusive of Real Companhia Velha, reporting the whole production process, from the farms in the Douro to the cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia.

Events Hall
Just in front of the visitor centre, there is a tastefully decorated hall with real and aged wines, with capacity for 200 people. Here events are organized on request, such as: conferences, lunches, dinners, weddings or christenings.

Regional Room
Regional Room is a room elegantly decorated with tapestries, very ancient bottles and decanters, wooden barrel tables and has capacity for 40 people.

Vintage Museum
Although Port wine is usually aged in wooden barrels, there is a small but very significant part of its production that is separated to be aged otherwise, that is, in a bottle. This type of Port Wine is called "Vintage" and is a selection of the best wines from an exceptional year, representing a small part of the harvest. In this museum you can find one of the oldest collections of "Vintage" of the World, including a bottle dated of 1765, as well as other famous Vintage produced by the Real Companhia Velha, in the course of its 258 years of existence.

Locations & Directions


With a prime location outside the cellars route, it offers the opportunity for an unforgettable walk along the top of Vila Nova de Gaia, enjoying the magnificent views from the Monastery of Serra do Pilar and Jardim do Morro.

For the last visit of the day, you should make you booking 45 minutes before closing time.

GPS: N 41º 07' 57.81'', W 8º 36' 00.80''


Conditions


For the last tour of the day the reservation must be made 45 minutes before closing time.

Conditions

Category Conditions
Closing time January 1st; December 25th; Monday; Sunday
Wine bar Schedule 10:00 am to 05:00 pm
Visiting hours Tuesday to Saturday: 10:15 am, 11:15 am, 12;15 pm, 02:45 pm, 03:45 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
Parking Free and Private (without reservation)
Spoken Languages Spanish; French; English; Português
Reviewed by David Wolstenholme

"I had the most remarkable tour and tasting. lasting well in excess of 1 1/2 hours. After watching a short film a charming member of their sales team walked me around showing me as expected the cellars , the barrels and the various info photos showing where their quintas and vineyards are based. I was not expecting to see their old rare barrels still under Lock & key nor the owners personal holding of 13,000 old bottles. i have had had some experience of port and she was able to answer absolutely every question i had. I was fascinated by some of her stories, for example that their head viniculturist / taster started with Real Companhia Vinha started with them at 15 years old as a trainee in the offices. I tasted 4 fine ruby vintages of the last 20 years and for contrast an aged tawny and may have been converted to a lover of tawny. There was never any question of hurry or trying to move me along. The hostesses in the bar/ sales area at the end were quick to offer to get me a taxi as their offices are a little out of the way compared to the other Port Houses. A Fantastic Tour. Thank you."

5
Reviewed by Anthony Butler, 10.2017

"Wonderful experience. I booked it based on the reviews and was not disappointed. The pairings and the food were delicious and served in beautiful surroundings . Explanations of the wines were interesting , helpful and not pretentious. The tour of a working winery was very illuminating. Would return again."

5
Reviewed by David Andrade, 10.2017

"Visitei a Real Companhia Velha. Passeio fantástico e atendimento de primeira. Sem falar da qualidade dos vinhos. 100% recomendo."

5
Reviewed by David Andrade, 10.2017

"Visitei a Real Companhia Velha. Passeio fantástico e atendimento de primeira. Sem falar da qualidade dos vinhos. 100% recomendo."

5
Reviewed by Keith Schenone, 09.2017

"We absolutely LOVED our tour. Our guide Alex was very knowledgeable and personable. He spoke multiple languages fluently and was a fantastic presenter. We loved the movie, the tour itself (especially of the oldest Porto known in Portugal). The tasting was also 5 stars, from the set up to the choices. We would highly recommend this tour to friends and family (or anyone really!)."

5
Reviewed by Ben Shuster, Londo, 16.07.2016

Fantastic tour. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic and really brought everything to life. Very interesting, particularly the tours of the old cellars. And, of course, the tasting was very enjoyable too

5
Reviewed by Agostinha Amorim, Madrid, 25.03.2016

"Was all Excellent"

5
Reviewed by Pamela Loh, Singapura, 08.01.2016

"Enjoyed the visit to the oldest wine cellar in Porto. Guide was helpful, attentive, friendly and has good product knowledge. Overall, I enjoyed my experience with them."

5
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