Croft dates its origin to 1588 and says it is the oldest Port house still active. It is not the only house to make a claim like that: Kopke calls itself the oldest Port Wine House, counting from its first shipment in 1638. We are not going to settle the argument. Both histories are long enough that the difference will not change your afternoon.
Where you actually visit
Croft’s published visits are at Quinta da Roêda, a short distance from Pinhão in the Douro, not in Vila Nova de Gaia. Keep that in mind when planning: it is a day trip from Porto, not a walk across the bridge. The estate is open daily from 9:30 to 18:00, with last entry at 17:00, and closes on December 25 and January 1. Tours run in Portuguese, English, French and Spanish, and the quinta is accessible to tour buses as well as cars.
Which visit to pick
Croft publishes 13 options at Quinta da Roêda, starting at €11, the cheapest way into any estate in our research:
- Quinta da Roêda Discovery Tour, self-guided, €11; with a tasting, €27.
- Introduction to Croft, €30, and a Vintage Quinta da Roêda tasting, €34.50.
- Croft Tawny or a Chocolate and Port Wine Pairing, €40 each.
- Wine Lover €48, Terroir €51.50 and Connoisseur €59.50 for more serious tastings.
- Less obvious: a Mixology session (€33) and an Olive Oil Tasting (€41).
At harvest
During harvest only, the Harvest Experience (€60) includes treading grapes in Croft’s granite lagares. Children aged 8 to 11 pay €30, and a version with a picnic basket costs €95 (€47 for children). If your trip falls in the harvest window, it is far cheaper than the other treading option we found, the €250 six-hour Harvest Special Program at Sandeman’s Quinta do Seixo.
Croft singles out its 1945 Vintage as legendary. Bookings: 932 640 072 or [email protected].
