NEW YORK, March 21, 2024 – The Fladgate Partnership (TFP) is pleased to announce the acquisition of Quinta do Portal, located in the heart of the Douro and specialized in the production of world class DOC Douro wines.
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 TFP, 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.”
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, Quinta do Portal has, since 1992, 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 response to the growing demand for Portuguese still wines, the company created, in 2023, a division specialising 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.
ABOUT THE FLADGATE PARTNERSHIP
The Fladgate Partnership (TFP) is a holding company that has businesses in Port Wine, tourism and distribution. The original company of the group is Taylor’s Port, which was founded in 1692. However, in 2001 it acquired Croft Port, which was founded in 1588 and celebrated its 430th anniversary in 2018. With its other brand, Fonseca Port, TFP is a leading player in producing special category Port, which it sells in over 105 countries.
TFP has been a pioneer in Port and, more recently, in tourism. The creation of The Yeatman Hotel, which opened in 2010, was arguably the catalyst that started the tourist boom in the city of Porto. The company also owns the Vintage House Hotel in Pinhão, the heart of the quality vineyard area of Port production and the hotel is close to the 500 hectares of vineyards that the group owns.
In Portugal, TFP also has distribution companies that supply its products and those of others to hotels, restaurants, retailers and consumers. In the historic heart of Vila Nova de Gaia, WOW was born from the renovation of old Port wine warehouses and has given rise to a cultural quarter with seven museums, of which The Chocolate Story with the Vinte Vinte chocolate brand, twelve restaurants and bars, shops, a wine school, a gallery for temporary exhibitions.
In September 2023, Fladgate Still & Sparkling Wines was created, after the purchase of IdealDrinks by The Fladgate Partnership. The Fladgate Partnership adds even further expertise, knowledge and over three centuries of heritage through this new challenge.
