Porto’s royal wine legacy awaits inside this building. Here at the Museu da 1ª Demarcação you will uncover the fascinating story of the Douro Valley. This region became the world’s first regulated wine area.
The Museu da 1ª Demarcação tells the story of the Real Companhia Velha. This “Royal Old Company” shaped the Douro Valley. King D. José I founded it in 1756. The company protected the region and elevated its wines.
Imagine the mid-18th century. Portugal faced an economic crisis. It was linked to Douro wine exports. The Marquis of Pombal stepped in. He reorganized trade and the economy.
The Marquis saved this royal wine. It was produced on schist and granite soil. The wine resulted from “mutage”. Neutral brandy blocked the grape fermentation.
Pombal’s reforms led to the Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro. Shareholders included Porto’s “Good Men”. They also included farmers from the Upper Douro region. The company regulated the trade. It ensured the quality of Douro wines.
Inside the Museu da 1ª Demarcação learn about Portugal’s oldest company. It has operated for over 260 years without interruption. The Real Companhia Velha expanded greatly. It completed major public works. The company overcame many obstacles. It is proud of its past. The Museu da 1ª Demarcação shares this rich history.
The museum showcases the stages of Port wine creation. See old methods of transport. A film from the 1950s shows dangerous maritime transport on the Douro. An authentic 18th-century carriage from the Pombal period is on display. The museum also honors the leaders of the Real Companhia Velha. Manuel Reis’s father took over in 1960.
Your visit ends at the shop. Taste Real Companhia Velha’s wines. Try tawny or vintage Port. Sample a magnificent 40-year-old Port. Explore “nature” wines. Taste white and red wines with diverse grape varieties. Portuguese grapes rival Sémillon, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Don’t miss the Quinta de Cidrô “Marquis”. It combines Torriga Nacional and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Consider a tour of the Real Companhia Velha cellars. Enjoy a comparative tasting. The Museu da 1ª Demarcação is educational and historical. It is a great introduction to Porto. The Museu da 1ª Demarcação celebrates the legacy. It shaped the Douro Valley and Port wine itself.