According to historical facts, the first vines planted in Quinta de Cidrô were in the late 19th century, at around the same time the quinta’s palace was built by the hand of its owner, the Marquis of Soveral.
The quinta was maintained in the Soveral family for many years under Luis de Soveral, Portuguese Embassador at St. James’ court and personal friend of King Edward VII of England, until later being passed on to the Vicount of Asseca.
Real Companhia Velha purchased this magnificent Quinta in 1972, and since then has carried out a vast rehabilitation program in the house and in its vineyards, through modern tecniques of vertical plantation applied in great scale.
At the time of the acquisition, the property had around 60 hectares of vineyard, and since then Real Companhia Velha began an ambicious project to develop the quinta in 3 strands: increase vineyard area through the purchase of neighbouring parcels; the plantation of new vines and the refurbishing of the palace’s interior and exterior.
The quinta’s innovative style of vertical plantation and the excellent quality of the wines produced result in it being considered the “experimental model” for the Douro. It is one of the largest continuous vineyard surfaces in the region.