Ramos Pinto

Ramos Pinto was founded in 1880 by brothers Adriano and Antonio Ramos Pinto, quickly distinguishing itself through bold marketing, including a celebrated series of lithographic poster art that became iconic in the Port trade. The house expanded aggressively into South America, controlling half of all Port wine exported to Brazil by the 1920s, and became a Limited Company in 1918. José Ramos Pinto Rosas, nicknamed the 'Pope of the Douro,' took leadership in 1938 and drove mechanization alongside serious research into indigenous grape varieties. Oenologist João Nicolau de Almeida joined in 1976 and elevated the prestige of the house's Vintage Ports. In 1990, Maison Louis Roederer of Champagne acquired the house, and that same year Ramos Pinto launched its Duas Quintas brand of still Douro DOC wines.

• Founded 1880; became a Limited Company in 1918
• Dominated Port exports to Brazil by the 1920s
• Acquired by Maison Louis Roederer in 1990
• Duas Quintas still wine range launched in 1990

Ramos Pinto's vineyards are spread across four estates in two sub-regions of the Douro. In Cima Corgo, Quinta do Bom Retiro dates to 1750, was authorized by Queen Maria I in 1789, and was acquired by Ramos Pinto in 1919. Quinta da Urtiga, purchased in 1933, features vertical plantations across its 37-acre site. In Douro Superior, Quinta de Ervamoira covers 223 hectares with 178 in production at elevations of 110 to 340 meters, and hosts the Ervamoira Onsite Museum dedicated to environmental and oenological research, created in 1997. Quinta dos Bons Ares sits on granite soils, contrasting with the schist that dominates the other estates. Elevations across all four quintas range from 110 to 1,063 feet.

• Quinta do Bom Retiro dates to 1750, acquired by Ramos Pinto in 1919
• Quinta de Ervamoira covers 223 hectares in Douro Superior
• Quinta dos Bons Ares features granite soils, unique among the four estates
• Ervamoira Onsite Museum founded 1997 for environmental and oenological research

Ramos Pinto follows a strict self-production policy, controlling all aspects of grape quality from pruning through harvest across its 286 actively planted hectares. The portfolio spans red varieties including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Sousão, Tinto Cão, and Tinta Amarela, alongside white varieties Malvasia Fina, Codega, Rabigato, and Viosinho. Traditional foot-treading in granite lagares remains part of the fermentation process, honoring the house's heritage while maintaining quality. The climate across the estates is hot and dry in summer with Atlantic influences, and conditions vary significantly between quintas due to differences in elevation and aspect. Ramos Pinto is also working toward organic farming and increased biodiversity across its properties.

• 286 hectares actively planted; strict self-production policy from pruning to harvest
• Traditional foot-treading in granite lagares used for fermentation
• Eleven grape varieties grown across red and white styles
• Working toward organic farming and increased biodiversity

The Ramos Pinto portfolio covers the full range of Port styles. Vintage Port is the prestige category, with the first declared vintage in 1924 and notable declarations in 1970, 1982, 1994, 2000, and 2011. Aged Tawny Ports are produced in 10, 20, and 30-year expressions, alongside Ruby Port, Late Bottled Vintage, and White Port. The Duas Quintas brand, launched in 1990, produces still red and white wines under the Douro DOC appellation, drawn from the Cima Corgo and Douro Superior estates. The house's deep knowledge of indigenous varieties and terroir informs both its fortified and unfortified wine programs.

• First declared Vintage Port: 1924; notable vintages include 1994, 2000, and 2011
• Tawny Port produced in 10, 20, and 30-year expressions
• Duas Quintas still Douro DOC wines launched in 1990
• Full range also includes Ruby, White Port, and Late Bottled Vintage