Founded on September 10, 1756, by Royal Charter of King D. José I, the Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro, also known as Real Companhia Velha or Royal Oporto Wine Company, is the oldest Portuguese company, with uninterrupted activity since then.
Besides the Douro, where it has five estates and the winemaking center, Real Companhia Velha’s geography also includes Vila Nova de Gaia.
The Port Wine Lodges of this bi-centennial Company are located in Gaia, on the left bank of the Douro River, in front of the city of Porto. A truly mythical place, marked by deep silence and constant darkness, full of noble wood casks, barrels, casks, vats, where the wine rests and ages for years, decades, and even centuries. The time needed for each wine to reach its exact maturation point and necessary complexity.
It is in these cellars that Real Companhia Velha stores a wide selection of Tawny Ports and also the private cellar of the Silva Reis family, owner of the company, with more than 16.000 bottles of rare Vintage Ports, the oldest dating back to 1765, thus maintaining the prestige and tradition.
Address: Rua Azevedo Magalhães, 314, 4430-952 Vila Nova de Gaia
GPS Coordinates: N41.13026.º; W8.59754.º
Telefone: 223 775 194
E-mail: turismo@realcompanhiavelha.pt
To showcase its wine tourism offerings in Vila Nova de Gaia in an immersive way, we created the Real Companhia Velha – Trio of Experiences in Vila Nova de Gaia program, which includes a premium visit to the Port Wine Cellars, a visit to the Museum of the First Demarcation, and, to conclude, a relaxed lunch at Enoteca 17.56.
The program begins at 10:00 a.m. with a premium visit to the Port Wine Cellars. Guided by an expert, this experience starts with the screening of a video about the history of Real Companhia Velha and the process of making Port wine, from the Douro Valley to Vila Nova de Gaia. It continues through the main aging warehouse, passes through the Vintage Museum, and concludes with a tasting of four Port wines—Extra Dry White, Late Bottled Vintage (LBV), Reserve Tawny, and 20-Year-Old Tawny. It is in these cellars that Real Companhia Velha stores an extensive selection of Tawny Port wines, as well as the private wine collection of the Silva Reis family. A truly mythical place, marked by deep silence and constant low light, filled with casks, large barrels, and vats made from noble woods, where the wine rests and ages for years, decades, and even centuries. Here, with no sense of hurry, each wine is given the time it needs to reach its precise point of maturity.
After visiting the Cellars, guests proceed to the 17.56 Museum & Enoteca of Real Companhia Velha, located at Cais de Gaia. The visit to the Museum of the First Demarcation begins at 11:30 a.m. and lasts approximately one hour. Being an interactive museum, visitors can explore at their own pace, finishing in the shop, where they can discover the Company’s extensive wine offerings. At this museum, Real Companhia Velha’s mission is to share with the public the precious history of the world’s first demarcated wine region and of Real Companhia Velha—both established in unison—through documents and objects from the Company’s collection, assembled and preserved over more than 260 years. The Museum aims to promote and showcase the history and culture of Port wine, which Real Companhia Velha has played a foundational role in shaping.
After moments of history, unforgettable photographic memories, sharing knowledge, and learning about the company, the Douro region, and its wine culture, it’s time to head up to the first floor of the visitor center for a relaxed lunch at Enoteca 17.56. This spacious venue features a restaurant, two private rooms, and a panoramic terrace overlooking the historic city of Porto. In this program, lunch begins with a refreshing “Port Tonic” as an aperitif and includes a starter, main course, and dessert, in addition to the couvert—where guests can taste the extra virgin olive oil from Quinta dos Aciprestes. For the starter, you can choose between “Pata Negra ham” or “burrata with beefsteak tomato,” the latter being a vegetarian-friendly option. The main course offers an “asparagus and basil risotto,” as well as options from the menu such as “Bacalhau à Romando” or the “Enoteca steak,” paired with Evel white and red wines. For dessert, guests can enjoy “mini escangalhado” or fruit, accompanied by a Quinta das Carvalhas Reserve Tawny Port.
Real Companhia Velha – A trio with experience in Vila Nova de Gaia
Real Companhia Velha – A trio with experience in Vila Nova de Gaia
PROGRAM
*MENU
Aperitif:: Porto Tónico
Starter: Pata Negra Ham or Burrata with Cherry Tomato and Pesto
Wine: Evel White or Red
Main Course: Mushroom Risotto, Bacalhau à Romando, or Enoteca Steak
Wine: Evel White or Red
Dessert: Mini Escangalhado or Fruit
Wine: Quinta das Carvalhas Porto Reserva Tawny
Included: Bread and butter, coffee or tea
Conditions:
Operating Days: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Price (VAT included): €78 per person
Reservation: Mandatory. Made via +351 223 775 194 or turismo@realcompanhiavelha.pt.
Note: The program has a fixed route and schedule, which cannot be modified.
Transportation: Guests use their own transport for greater comfort.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
Operating Days: Monday to Saturday
Closed On: January 1 and December 25, or under special circumstances
Languages: Portuguese, English, French, and Spanish
Parking: Free
Entry: Through Rua Azevedo Magalhães, except for buses, which access via the gate on Avenida D. João II upon presenting a reservation confirmation to security
Payment Methods: Multibanco (ATM) or Cash
Tourism Department Cancellation Policy: Cancellations up to 48 hours before the reservation: 50% refund of the total amount paid. Cancellations up to 24 hours before the reservation: no refund. Reservations are only confirmed upon payment of a deposit or the full amount
In-Store Refund Policy: No returns accepted. Exchanges only with a purchase receipt within 15 days of purchase. Damaged products must be submitted for laboratory analysis
With a guide, the tour starts with the projection of a video about the history of Real Companhia Velha and the process of making Port Wine, from the Douro to Vila Nova de Gaia. It goes on to the main ageing warehouse, passes by the Vintage Museum and ends with the tasting of 4 glasses of Port Wine – Extra Dry White; Late Bottled Vintage (LBV); Carvalhas Reserva Tawny; and 20 Years Old Tawny.
Duration: 45 minutes
Price (VAT included): €20.00 (legal age)
Tour hours: 10:15, 10:45, 11:45, 12:15, 12:45, 13:45, 14:15, 14:45, 15:15, 15:45, 16:15, 16:45 (subject to availability)
GENERAL CONDITIONS
Operating Days: Monday to Saturday
Closed On: January 1 and December 25, or under special circumstances
Languages: Portuguese, English, French, and Spanish
Parking: Free
Entry: Through Rua Azevedo Magalhães, except for buses, which access via the gate on Avenida D. João II upon presenting a reservation confirmation to security
Payment Methods: Multibanco (ATM) or Cash
Tourism Department Cancellation Policy: Cancellations up to 48 hours before the reservation: 50% refund of the total amount paid. Cancellations up to 24 hours before the reservation: no refund. Reservations are only confirmed upon payment of a deposit or the full amount
In-Store Refund Policy: We do not accept returns on tickets. Exchanges are only possible upon presentation of the purchase receipt within 15 days of purchase. Any damaged ticket must be submitted for verification.
Guided by an expert, the visit begins with the screening of a video about the history of Real Companhia Velha and the process of making Port wine, from the Douro Valley to Vila Nova de Gaia. It continues through the main aging warehouse, passes through the Vintage Museum, and concludes with a tasting of four glasses of Port wine – Extra Dry White, Late Bottled Vintage (LBV), Carvalhas Reserve Tawny, and 20-Year-Old Tawny.
Duration: 1h00
Price (VAT included): €20.00 (adults of legal age)
Tour hours: 10:15, 10:45, 11:45, 12:15, 12:45, 13:45, 14:15, 14:45, 15:15, 15:45, 16:15, 16:45 (subject to availability)
GENERAL CONDITIONS
Operating Days: Monday to Saturday
Closed On: January 1 and December 25, or under special circumstances
Languages: Portuguese, English, French, and Spanish
Parking: Free
Entry: Through Rua Azevedo Magalhães, except for buses, which access via the gate on Avenida D. João II upon presenting a reservation confirmation to security
Payment Methods: Multibanco (ATM) or Cash
Tourism Department Cancellation Policy: Cancellations up to 48 hours before the reservation: 50% refund of the total amount paid. Cancellations up to 24 hours before the reservation: no refund. Reservations are only confirmed upon payment of a deposit or the full amount
In-Store Refund Policy: We do not accept returns on tickets. Exchanges are only possible upon presentation of the purchase receipt within 15 days of purchase. Any damaged ticket must be submitted for verification.
With a guide, the visit starts with the projection of a video about the history of Real Companhia Velha and the elaboration process of Port Wine, from Douro to Vila Nova de Gaia. It proceeds to the main aging warehouse, passes by the Vintage Museum and ends with the tasting of 4 glasses of Port Wine – Dry White and Tawny of 10, 20 and 40 Years.
Duration: 1 hora e 30 minutos
Price (VAT included): €40.00 (legal aged)
Tour hours: 10:15, 10:45, 11:45, 12:15, 12:45, 13:45, 14:15, 14:45, 15:15, 15:45, 16:15, 16:45 (subject to availability)
GENERAL CONDITIONS
Operating Days: Monday to Saturday
Closed On: January 1 and December 25, or under special circumstances
Languages: Portuguese, English, French, and Spanish
Parking: Free
Entry: Through Rua Azevedo Magalhães, except for buses, which access via the gate on Avenida D. João II upon presenting a reservation confirmation to security
Payment Methods: Multibanco (ATM) or Cash
Tourism Department Cancellation Policy: Cancellations up to 48 hours before the reservation: 50% refund of the total amount paid. Cancellations up to 24 hours before the reservation: no refund. Reservations are only confirmed upon payment of a deposit or the full amount
In-Store Refund Policy: We do not accept returns on tickets. Exchanges are only possible upon presentation of the purchase receipt within 15 days of purchase. Any damaged ticket must be submitted for verification.
Please wait for our reservations department to contact you to confirm your booking.
