The name of Quinta do Noval first appeared in land registries in 1715.

The history of Quinta do Noval is marked by the action of visionaries:

António José da Silva, a port shipper from Porto, acquired Quinta do Noval in 1894, after its devastation by phylloxera. He restored the property by replanting the vines.

Luiz Vasconcelos Porto, his son-in-law, was the author of a vast programme of innovations. He transformed many of the narrow older terraces into broader terraces. This permitted a more efficient use of the land and a better exposition to the sun.

Quinta do Noval made its name with the declaration of the 1931 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port, and the 1931 Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage Port. Because of the global depression and the enormous production and shipment of the 1927 Vintage, most shippers did not declare the 1931. This success established Quinta do Noval among the great names of Vintage Port in the English and American markets, a leading position in terms of reputation which is maintained today.

Since 1993, Quinta do Noval is part of the international viticultural group of AXA Millésimes.

A new bottling line and warehouse was completed in 1997 in Alijo, near Pinhão. This project made Quinta do Noval the first of the traditional Port shippers to centralise all its activities in the Douro Valley.

In the 90's, around a hundred hectares of the domaine have been replanted, adapting pruning methods to suit each parcel. Today, we have high quality grapes which on one hand assure the excellence of Quinta do Noval Ports and on the other hand the production of Douro wines since the 2004 vintage.

 

"Quinta do Noval is an historic name with iconic status in the world of wine. But it is above all a vineyard. In the heart of the Douro Valley, great wines have been made in this place since the early 18th century.

 

Known throughout the world for its Port wines, whether the Quinta do Noval Vintage Port made from a strict selection of the best wines from our 145 hectare vineyard, or the Quinta do Noval Nacional, extraordinary product of the tiny Nacional parcel at the heart of the property, or indeed our aged Tawny Ports and Colheitas, Quinta do Noval produces great wines that bear the stamp of their origin.

The subtle differences of aspect, climate and soil of the various parcels of this extensive vineyard give the wines of Noval complexity and depth that are unique to Quinta do Noval, whether we are making Port wines or unfortified red and white wines.

The team at Quinta do Noval is devoted to the task of looking after this great vineyard terroir. Every year we strive to make wines that are worthy to carry the Noval name and to take their place alongside all the great wines from the illustrious past of Quinta do Noval. We are very conscious of this glorious history, but we are also aware that today is a great time for Quinta do Noval, and that our vineyard is capable of producing wines that are among the greatest in the world."

 

Christian Seely