Real Companhia Velha is the oldest wine company in Portugal, founded by royal charter in 1756. It produces a wide range of Ports, from Ruby through to Vintage and aged Tawny, as well as a range of Douro table wines.
Real Companhia Velha is known in some markets as the Royal Oporto Wine Company. A furthr alternate name is Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhos do Alto Douro.
The company’s history has been complex since its foundation as a monopoly controlled by the Marqués de Pombal, then Prime Minister of Portugal. It was briefly dissolved, but restarted as public company in 1865, eventually becoming Portugal’s largest wine shipper for a period in the 20th century.
After the revolution in 1974, Real Companhia Velha was nationalised by the new government and stock sold off to other shippers. It was returned to former owner Manuel da Silva Reis in 1978, and is now run by his son Pedro.
