The lodge of REAL COMPANHIA VELHA is special… in many regards. First of all: It’s is not located where most of the other Port Wine lodges are… it’s not near the Quays of Gaia by the river, it’s more inland, aprox. 2 kilometers away from the historic centre of Gaia. Too far to walk – but as taxis are cheap in Portugal, there shouldn’t be a problem to reach this location. There is also a little “tourist-train” that picks visitors up in Gaia and brings them to the lodge.

It’s also special because the company was originally founded by royal decree, back then in 1756. As the company writes on it’s web-page “Real Companhia Velha is the oldest and most emblematic wine company in Portugal”. Other Port Wine houses might contest this; however there is no doubt that this company has a long and exciting history and was often in the center of the development of the Port Wine trade.

The visitor 3 choices with regards to the tour:

1) “Normal Visit” – the tour costs EUR 3.00 and includes a movie, a visit to the warehouse where all the barrel are aging and a tasting of two basic ports (a white port and then either a Tawny or a Ruby).

2) “Vintage Visit” – the tour costs EUR 7.50 and includes all of the first tour plus a visit to the museum and an additional Port for the tasting (20 year old Tawny).

3) “VIP Visit” – the tour costs EUR 15.00 and includes all of the second visit, but instead of a 20 year old Tawny the visitor will be able to taste a 40 year old Tawny.

My philosophy is very simple: You come a long way to Gaia. You might never visit the lodge again – go for the best tour and taste the best wines… It’s a few Euros more, but a much better experience. Don’t miss the visit to the museum where the old bottles are stored – it’s a magic place. Most of us will never have seen so much mold and old dust in their whole lives… Amazing place, beautiful place.

The size of the compound makes this a worthwhile visit – but the remote location means that a visit will take some time. If you are on a tight schedule then this might not be the best lodge to visit… It might be better to stay at the Quay of Gaia and visit 2 or 3 lodges over there instead. The tours are also quite large, as many people arrive at the same time with the tram-bus.

Opening hours:

November – March: Monday to Friday 10:00 – 16:00

April, May & October: Monday to Saturday 10:00 – 17:00

June – September: Every day 10:00 – 19:00

Contact:

Rua Azevedo Magalhães, N.º 314, 4430-022, Vila Nova de Gaia

Phone Number: +351 22 377 5194

Tel: +351 223 775 194

Email: turismo@realcompanhiavelha.pt

Web-Page:  www.realcompanhiavelha.pt