Real Companhia Velha
Real Companhia Velha
4.5
About
Founded in 1756 by Royal Charter of King D. José I, Real Companhia Velha, also
known as Royal Oporto Wine Company, is the oldest and most emblematic wine
company in Portugal.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
360 reviews
Excellent
225
Very good
89
Average
26
Poor
9
Terrible
11
Marlene L
6 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Beautiful facility. We were very much looking forward to the tour. We first watched a film on this brand’s quintas where they grow and harvest their grapes. Guide seemed knowledgeable but never made eye contact. The cellar was impressive. Once we were taken to the tasting area, it felt like we were being herded in. The guide quickly seated us in front of two glasses and promptly disappeared. My husband, the port drinker, was not impressed. Felt that both the white and red ports were average. I thanked her in English and in Spanish but was “corrected” to say “abrigada” which is thank you in Portuguese. There was no personal interaction seeking our feedback on the port unlike our experience at Pocas Junior yesterday which was very intimate and enjoyable.
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helena A
2 contributions
Sep 2024 • Friends
Hi, it was my first time trying to go to winery in porto as it was part of the tour.
My friend asked for a sample with a less sugary taste. The young man, quickly replied yes but it costs money if you don't buy the bottle and so a lady brought her the sample in no time but my friend said that she did not want to buy it if she did not like the sample and so she declined the sample and the waitress said no problem.
However, at the cashier, our group bought wine bottles and the manager, whose name was Alexander was so rude asking my friend that you must pay for the bottle that you asked for the sample.
My friend said I asked that I cancel my order immediately and said I don't want the sample since I don't want to pay even for the sample and the waitress agreed.
In addition, we bought three bottles but Alexander insisted that she must buy and so poor my friend bought a wine bottle and told her that I purchased but will write a review and Alexander said yes write and insisted on her in a very rude and bullying tone and face. She tried to make a scene in front of the staff and other customers.
The gentleman who was the big boss apologized for Alexander's behaviour.
I thought to let you know if you ask for a sample make sure to know what is the rule before they push you into a trap.
Thank you
My friend asked for a sample with a less sugary taste. The young man, quickly replied yes but it costs money if you don't buy the bottle and so a lady brought her the sample in no time but my friend said that she did not want to buy it if she did not like the sample and so she declined the sample and the waitress said no problem.
However, at the cashier, our group bought wine bottles and the manager, whose name was Alexander was so rude asking my friend that you must pay for the bottle that you asked for the sample.
My friend said I asked that I cancel my order immediately and said I don't want the sample since I don't want to pay even for the sample and the waitress agreed.
In addition, we bought three bottles but Alexander insisted that she must buy and so poor my friend bought a wine bottle and told her that I purchased but will write a review and Alexander said yes write and insisted on her in a very rude and bullying tone and face. She tried to make a scene in front of the staff and other customers.
The gentleman who was the big boss apologized for Alexander's behaviour.
I thought to let you know if you ask for a sample make sure to know what is the rule before they push you into a trap.
Thank you
Written September 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tinna
Helsinki, Finland9 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Impressive cellar. We had the founders tasting (approx duration 1,5h). But we were taken to the auditorium to follow the film of making port. Very general and not informative. After this we were to split to three groups according to the language.
Our guide told us all he had memorized like he would’ve read it from the book. Very unpersonized!
On the tasting area our guide quickly told us what is what and encourage to ask if anything… and then he left.
All this took an hour and and was befinetly NOT worth a money.
Our guide told us all he had memorized like he would’ve read it from the book. Very unpersonized!
On the tasting area our guide quickly told us what is what and encourage to ask if anything… and then he left.
All this took an hour and and was befinetly NOT worth a money.
Written October 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CynthiaArlington
Arlington, VA52 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
I reviewed the restaurant and the title came up as the wine company itself. The restaurant is up the hill in Vila Nova de Gaia only a short walk from the river side, but upstairs so the view is a lovely expanse of Porto. As I said in the review, the service is friendly and knowledgeable—ask the waiter what to order.
Written July 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma Roonie
8 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
We booked a tour through Luxury Douro Tours and our first stop was Real Companhia Velha. It was a cold morning but we was ready to go. We was introduced to Fernando who took us through the vineyards and drove us up the winding mountain. He was a terrific guide, guiding us through the history of the landscape. He cut of fresh oranges, roses and herbs we even tried wild strawberries throughout the trip it was a treat for all the senses! If you are going to book a guided tour please ask for Fernando you will not regret.
Written November 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda J
Taupo, New Zealand27 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Video was not in English and to long. Repeated the video in the tour whose English was terrible didn’t know anything about the difference between the wines. It’s not sincronize with the buses which are every 30 mins. We were there for 1.5 hours could have done it in 30 but no one knew bus times. They shut the gate and closed shop before the bus came.
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reattig
Portland, OR89 contributions
Jan 2023
We wanted an uncrowded, informative, and authentic port wine experience, and this historic cellar delivered. It's a short walk from the river, and includes a short informational video (images and music), and guides who split up the groups by language. The tour was about 30 minutes or so, and interesting, especially the web-covered historical bottles in the cellar. The tastings were good; if you can afford it, spring for the aged port, so mellow and good.
Written January 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RichardOldfield
Clerkenwell, UK2,772 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
This place is a bit difficult to find if you’re on foot and not part of a wider tour. More signs are required if walking from the centre of Porto!
However it’s a really nice place and more authentic than other wine houses.
The tour is fairly short but good
We tried several Premium Ports which was good and we asked for a sample of another to compare. No issues.
And of course there’s a shop .. where we also purchased an expensive bottle of their vintage port :-)
However it’s a really nice place and more authentic than other wine houses.
The tour is fairly short but good
We tried several Premium Ports which was good and we asked for a sample of another to compare. No issues.
And of course there’s a shop .. where we also purchased an expensive bottle of their vintage port :-)
Written October 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brucestewart
Livingston, UK10,155 contributions
Sep 2022
We travelled to Vila Nova de Gaia on a Grayline Porto Sightseeing coach tour (Note - very poor unreliable operator) and had hoped to visit the Quinta de Boeira lodge as a free tour and tasting was included in the price of the coach ticket. In the event we couldn't find it. It wasn't even mentioned on the Wine Tourism Guide we came across in the area.
However we were very fortunate in coming across the Real Companhia Velha Museum which had a free to enter Port Wine Day (10 September) to commemorate the 266th Anniversary of the company (founded in 1756) and 4th Anniversary of the Museum and attached restaurant (aptly called 17.56).
We spent a very interesting 30 - 40 minutes looking at the exhibits on display and finished with a tasting of a very nice Tawny Port. While on the premises we tried to have lunch in the 17.56 restaurant upstairs but unfortunately advance booking was required and they were fully booked so we had to go elsewhere. Before leaving the building however we went to the Museum shop where I bought two half bottles and a quarter sized bottle of different ports. All in all this proved to be an enjoyable experience.
However we were very fortunate in coming across the Real Companhia Velha Museum which had a free to enter Port Wine Day (10 September) to commemorate the 266th Anniversary of the company (founded in 1756) and 4th Anniversary of the Museum and attached restaurant (aptly called 17.56).
We spent a very interesting 30 - 40 minutes looking at the exhibits on display and finished with a tasting of a very nice Tawny Port. While on the premises we tried to have lunch in the 17.56 restaurant upstairs but unfortunately advance booking was required and they were fully booked so we had to go elsewhere. Before leaving the building however we went to the Museum shop where I bought two half bottles and a quarter sized bottle of different ports. All in all this proved to be an enjoyable experience.
Written April 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaime M
2 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
We visited today for a tour of the wine lodge and vintage wine cellar and it was brilliant. We were expertly guided by Madeleine (I apologise if I've spelt that incorrectly) and she was excellent - a great knowledge and passion for the amazing company she works for. Thank you - we will definitely return on our next trip to Porto.
Written March 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
É necessário agendar degustação? É permitida a presença de crianças nas dependências da loja?
Written February 25, 2020
Me gustaría saber que incluye la visita gratuita ofrecida en la Porto Card. Gracias
Written April 24, 2019
Do we need to organise a tour or can we turn up on the day itself ?
Also, am I correct thinking we can get a free visit with the Porto card?
Written February 19, 2019
Hello, you can come the day itself and with the Porto Card, you have 50% discount.
A Tourist
Written July 3, 2019
Do we need to organise a tour or can we turn up on the day itself ?
Also, am I correct thinking we can get a free visit with the Porto card?
Written February 19, 2019
You can turn up itself and with Porto card you have free tour.
Written February 21, 2019
Onde posso comprar o ticket para visitação?
Quanto tempo dura a visitação?
Fica mto longe do centro de Porto?
É preciso comprar com antecedência ou chegando lá é fácil a entrada?
Minha visita será no início de Fevereiro de 2019.
Written September 23, 2018
Hi, how do I book a tour around Real Companhia Velha, besides the tourist train?
Written February 26, 2018
You can just turn up there and speak to the guys in reception. It's a little way out of the centre but easily reachable by car (and has parking available).
Written March 5, 2018
Oi
A Real Companhia Velha, que fica na rua Azevedo Magalhães 314, 4430-022, Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto, cobra quinze euros por pessoa para o tour completo. Pode ser que cobrem meio de estudantes, idosos e pessoas com deficiência, pergunte no local. Vale a pena o passeio e a degustação. Um abraço.
Written January 11, 2017
Is there parking at the Real Companhia Velha Cellar tour?
Written December 2, 2016
Yes there is. It's really convenient, however the streets leading there are really narrow... just be careful
Written December 15, 2016
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