- Niepoort is one of the great Port houses and is now in its sixth generation of tradition and innovation.
- Fifth-generation owner Dirk Niepoort has elevated this house’s status, investing in vineyards in the Douro Valley.
- Always interested in pushing the boundaries of what the Port wine industry looks like, Dirk, now joined by his son, Daniel, has upped the game of this historic property.
- Sustainable and organic work in the vineyard and cellar is always prioritized.
- Working with generations of know-how, Niepoort can be counted on to provide fortified wines that celebrate all that this region has to offer.
The story of Niepoort Port began in 1842, when the Niepoort family moved from Holland to Vila Nova de Gaia. That year marked the beginning of a partnership between the Niepoort and Nogueira families—one that continues to this day. The Nogueiras have overseen the blending and aging of Niepoort Ports in the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia since the very beginning, and today the fifth generation, Rodrigo Nogueira, carries that tradition forward.
Dirk Niepoort is also the fifth generation of his family to craft fortified wines. He participated in his first Port vintage in 1987 and since then he has become one of the most dynamic forces in Portuguese winemaking. While Dirk is known for pioneering Douro’s rise in dry table wines, Port remains an important part of the family estate.
Niepoort’s Port production is deeply rooted in tradition. Grapes are sourced from the Pinhão Valley in the Cima Corgo subregion, known for its exceptional terroir. Winemaking takes place at Vale de Mendiz under the guidance of Port winemaker Nick Delaforce, using time-honored methods. After fermentation and fortification, the young wines remain at Mendiz through the winter before being transported to the centuries-old cellars in Gaia in the spring.
In Gaia, wines are aged to become Ruby Ports or Tawny Ports in accordance with the wooden vats and casks where they are placed to age. The Gaia cellars themselves are an essential part of this process. Their cool, stable conditions allow the Ports to age slowly and gracefully. It’s here that Niepoort’s fortified wines, renowned for their elegance and complexity, take shape—unmatched in character and consistency.
Today, Niepoort stands as one of just a handful of small family-owned Port houses. Even as Dirk has brought innovation and international acclaim to Douro’s table wines, he has never lost sight of what makes Niepoort special: its enduring dedication to Port, its respect for tradition, and the deep family ties that shape every bottle.
In 2020, Dirk’s son Daniel joined the estate, marking the start of the sixth generation. As with each generation before, the future of Niepoort is built on the wisdom of the past—with two generations working side by side to ensure that Niepoort’s Port legacy not only endures but continues to evolve.
Showing all 10 results
