A Pioneering Voice in Porto Adds to Their Douro Dominance

The Fladgate Partnership (TFP) has announced the acquisition of Quinta do Portal , located in the heart of the Douro Valley and specialized in the production of world class DOC Douro wines. The Douro Valley is famously the growing region and often the fermentation side for wines that become the multitude of styles of Porto. It is also the oldest demarcated wine region on the planet—dating back to 1756—and was made a World Heritage by UNESCO in 2001.

Douro wines will strengthen the international presence of Fladgate Still & Sparkling Wines , TFP's still wine division, in export markets, complementing the existing offer from the Vinho Verde, Dão and Bairrada regions. This expansion, now concluded, will allow the company to offer an even more diverse range of high quality wines, remaining faithful to the tradition and search for excellence that characterise the company.

Adrian Bridge, CEO of The Fladgate Partnership, expressed excitement about the purchase, stating:

" This vineyard is a table wine jewel in the Douro. Its location, altitude and topography which allows mechanisation are outstanding. This acquisition reflects our commitment to the production of exceptional wines, and we believe that this vineyard will enrich our portfolio, providing unique wine experiences to our customers. This reflects our commitment to Portuguese still wines which, along with our Port Wines, will reinforce Portugal’s image in the four corners of the world as a producer of excellence .” Additionally, Adrian Bridge is the mind behind The Yeatman Hotel , World of Wine Museums , and The Porto Protocol .

The acquisition of Quinta do Portal includes three vineyards: Portal, Confradeiro and Abelheira - totalling 53 hectares - a wine cellar and a wine-ageing warehouse designed by architect Álvaro Siza Vieira, along with stocks and the boutique hotel Casa das Pipas and restaurant.

With decades of excellence in the production of high quality still wines, since 1992 Quinta do Portal has had the technical support of winemaker Pascal Chatonnet. This acquisition goes beyond a business strategy, representing a fusion of experiences and passions for wine, as Chatonnet also oversees winemaking at Fladgate Still & Sparkling Wines.

TFP is recognised as a world-class Port wine producer, with a history that spans over 330 years. Its notable global presence is evidenced by the fact that it exports 93% of its wines to connoisseurs around the world. In 2023 as a response to the growing demand for Portuguese still wines, the company created a division specializing in the production of exceptional still wines, and the time has now come to add a vineyard and winery dedicated to DOC Douro wines. This strategic expansion allows TFP to explore and highlight the potential of the terroir of the Douro region, in an area where it has centuries of tradition, experience and its largest concentration of vineyards: the Pinhão river valley, in the Cima Corgo subregion.

By integrating DOC Douro into its offer, TFP is able to offer an outstanding range of Portuguese wines. This expansion represents a celebration of Portugal's rich wine heritage, allowing the company to continue to be a proud ambassador of Portuguese wine, combining tradition and innovation to delight connoisseurs around the world.

Visit The Fladgate Partnership's website to learn more and find the wines