Niepoort

The history of the traditional company begins almost 200 years ago, when Franciscus Marius van der Niepoort, a young, ambitious Dutchman from near Amsterdam, laid the foundation for the wine company. After emigrating to Portugal and gaining some experience in the wine trade, he founded today's winery in 1842. According to the region, he focused on port wines.

Jackob Eduard took over the company from his father Franciscus after his resignation and helped him to become better known through clever negotiations. After his death in 1912, Jackob Eduard's son, Eduard Marius, ran the business. He is described as a particularly astute and intelligent person who included exceptional red wines in the range of the winemaking company. A good decision, as the enthusiastic reactions from wine lovers and connoisseurs show.

Since 2005, the famous Portuguese winery has been managed by Eduard Dirk. Together with his sister Verena, he is the fifth generation of the family and brought a lot of fresh wind into the company. Above all, the development of further wine-growing regions and the preservation of traditional grape varieties are his great passions, which are reflected in the quality of the company's entire product range.

Different wine growing areas in the Douro Valley for different wines

The Douro Valley is located in northern Portugal. Numerous vineyards there now belong to the traditional Portuguese company, to which Eduard Dirk mainly contributed with his preference for old grape varieties. For the well-known red, white and rosé wines, the family relies on the Quinta de Nápoles, a vineyard that has around 30 hectares of cultivation area. Some of the vines there are over 80 years old and grow at an altitude of up to 250 metres.

The Quinta do Carril is another growing area. The vines that will later be used for the production of Batuta grow on the approximately 9 hectare area. This is a special red wine from the Douro region, which is famous for its wines worldwide.

One vineyard that has only recently come into business is Quinta de Baixo. In the rather cool climate of the Bairrada region, to which Quinta de Baixo belongs, predominantly white grape varieties thrive. Eduard Dirk found it particularly appealing to be able to press outstanding wines from this region, despite the more difficult growing conditions, and the years have shown that he succeeded. The famous Dão wine region is now home to hardly any old, traditional varieties, as over time they have been gradually displaced by the vines that are currently in focus. This was challenge enough for Dirk Niepoort to acquire the Quinta da Lomba and to support the preservation of old vines on 5 hectares of cultivation area. Two other vineyards, 3 hectares in Basto and 1.5 hectares in Sousa, are used specifically for the pressing of Vinho Verde.

Fabulous wines for every occasion

Niepoort is particularly well known for the wines from the "Fabulous" collection.

20 years ago, the first variety took the market by storm, giving Eduard Dirk the idea of ​​having special editions of the wine produced for the different markets, which were also provided with individual labels. The results are called "Diálogo", "Conversa", "Drink Me" or "Fabulous".
The label of the German version "Fabelhaft" features an illustration of the hapless raven Hans Huckebein, a well-known character from Wilhelm Busch, who suffers a fatal accident after being unable to resist a liqueur. The wines of the "Fabelhaft" collection should be just as seductive, and since animal stories are also called fables, the name for the German version was fixed.

Two special "fabulous" editions are the Port wines Max and Moritz. Here, too, one of the works of Wilhelm Busch gave the name. The two types of port wine are as different as the Lausbuben brothers are portrayed: one is described as young and fruity, the other as soft and elegant. Nevertheless, both together - like the original characters Max and Moritz - represent a unit that is perfectly suited for entering the world of port wines.

Even if Niepoort is mainly known for the "Fabelhaft" collection, numerous other wines are part of the family business's repertoire. Whether Porto or Douro wines, red, rosé or white wines, sparkling wines or Vinhos Verdes - everything from the Niepoort house stands for excellent quality and a first-class taste experience, so that every wine lover should get their money's worth with the large selection .