Who We Are
We are Kopke Group
Kopke Group is a global heritage wine company, bringing together legendary estates and brands of Port Wine and Douro DOC wines.
Rooted in five centuries of history, we embody a collection of unique identities, which we cultivate and celebrate through each of our brands. We believe that respecting a legacy means much more than preserving it: it means enabling it to grow.
We honour the past, but have the courage to challenge it, transforming tradition into the future and opening new worlds within our own.
Our brand,
our guiding star
Each grape bunch represents two dimensions:
a stage in the winemaking process, and a core value of our group.
Terroir
A unique, inimitable identity that the combination of soil, climate, grape varieties and growers' practices gives to the wine.
Authenticity
All our actions and interactions have shaped a distinct working culture, inseparable from our identity. It is this culture that makes our group truly unique.
Vineyard Care
Dedication and respect for grape growing. This includes the selection of grape varieties, soil preparation, assessment of root health, irrigation and water-stress management, budburst, shoot thining, flowering, veraison, pruning, and more.
Commitment
Our work demands constant dedication, patience and a promise to care for everything we do – from major initiatives to the smallest details.
Harvest
The choice of the perfect moment to pick the grapes – the point at which the vineyard is left behind and the journey into the winery begins.
Boldness
The vision and courage to act at the right moment, balancing risk and opportunity.
Winemaking
The art and technique of transforming grapes into wine.
Innovation
From the meeting of knowledge, experience and talent, new projects are born that shape a bright future.
Ageing
Wine needs time to reach its peak. It takes knowledge and patience to allow it to transform into its best expression.
Perseverance
In order to evolve and thrive, our group has learned to resist haste and passing trends. We know that quality takes time.
Bottling
The care taken in placing the wine into the bottle, ready to be enjoyed by wine enthusiasts.
Responsibility
The release of each of our products represents the culmination of numerous carefully considered decisions, rooted in a commitment to our customers and to the market.
Commercialisation
The link between producer and market.
Collaboration
Taking a wine out into the world or launching a wine tourism project are acts of sharing and connection. We always work as a team - with both colleagues and partners.
Experience
The celebration and memories created throught the enjoyment of wine and the experiences it inspires.
Inspiration
We believe that everything we do is a source of inspiration, creating an impact that endures over time.
Customer focus
Inspired by those who value us
At Kopke Group,
we place the customer
at the centre of every decision.
We oversee the entire wine cycle through our own methodology, ensuring quality, agility and consistency across all markets.
With a highly advanced logistics centre, a dedicated support team and an active approach to listening to consumer trends, we are able to respond effectively to our customers' needs, combining precision technology with the human touch that distinguishes our wines.
Kopke Group
Figures
that define us
Behind every figure lies is a story of resilience and innovation. These data reflect the growth and solidity of Kopke Group – an ecosystem committed to preserving tradition while shaping the future of the global wine sector.
Chairman
Juan Carlos Escotet
CEO
Pedro Braga
Owned Vineyards
262 hectares
Employees
324
Turnover
€57.4m
Land Owned
445 hectares
Bottles Produced
9.5m
Sales Breakdown
Wine Sales
33%
Portugal
31%
Exports
Wine tourism
36%
Wine Tourism Visitors
582,583
* Data from 2025
Global
Distribution
Taking the Douro to the world
Kopke Group exports its production to more than 60 countries worldwide.
With a strategy focused on logistical efficiency and close proximity to key markets, we have built a robust structure that brings together tradition, innovation and a strong global presence. The Kopke Group Logistics Centre acts as the hub for all industrial operations and stands at the heart of our international distribution network.
Kopke Group Worldwide
Strategic Markets
Distributor, Portugal
Distributor, 2
Sustainability
A commitment to the future, respect for the land.
At Kopke Group, sustainability is not a trend – it is an ongoing practice. We work to preserve the Douro ecosystem, protect biodiversity and reduce environmental impact at every stage of the production process.
We promote ecological corridors and avoid the use of chemical products whenever possible. The future of wine begins with respect for nature.
Heritage
Preservation
Georeferencing of Old Vineyards:
Identification of grape varieties, vineyard location and the number of varieties per plot.
Genetic Mapping:
Ensures replacement with identical vine material, preserving terroir and the traditional field blend.
Protection of the Douro terroir:
Safeguarding local fauna and flora, soil protection and stabilisation, pest reduction, and efficient water management.
Preservation of built heritage:
Conservation of terraces and dry-stone walls, and the restoration of the main house at Quinta de S. Luiz, which is over 200 years old.
Resource
Management
Responsible use of natural resources:
Monitoring of consumption and implementing sustainable practices.
Internal awareness:
Promoting responsible behaviour and environmental awareness across the organisation.
Circular economy:
Prioritising recyclable materials and lighter-weight bottles.
Innovation &
Development
Carbon Footprint Assessment:
An ongoing project serving as the foundation for the group's Decarbonisation Plan.
Strategic Partnerships:
Collaboration with scientific and technological institutions, as well as industry partners.
Advanced Solutions
The integration of technologies and practices that enhance efficiency, quality and sustainability.
Featured projects:
- CSinDouro
- Eyes on Traps
- Grapemicrobiota
- Living Soils
- Artificial vision in the production process
Timeline
Explore the rich history of Kopke Group through key milestones.
Each step reflects our dedication and passion for wine.
from
1638
Kopke Foundation
Kopke was registered in 1638 and is the world's oldest Port Wine House, having been established long before the creation of the Douro Demarcated Region in 1756. Its history, now spanning more than three centuries, dates back to 1636, when the German merchant Nicolau Kopke settled in Lisbon as Consul General of the Hanseatic Cities, and, two years later, in Porto, when he began exporting Port Wine to Hamburg.
1750
Creation of the Burmester Brand
Burmester was founded in 1750 in Porto by British merchants Henry Burmester and John Nash, at a decisive moment in the international recognition of Port Wine.
Established even before the official demarcation of the Douro Demarcated Region in 1756, the brand quickly stood out for its strong export focus and commercial ties with Northern Europe, building a reputation based on quality, rigour and an international outlook that endures to this day.
1859
Creation of the Cálem Brand
António Alves Cálem, a natural entrepreneur, founded Porto Cálem in 1859. Benefiting from the Douro’s liberal trade regime, he recognised a new business opportunity across the Atlantic and, going against the prevailing practice of the time – exporting Port Wine mainly to the British Isles and other European markets – turned his focus to Brazil, carrying out the first Port wine transactions in exchange for exotic woods.
1913
Creation of the Barros Brand
Barros traces its origins back to 1913, when Manuel de Almeida founded the Port Wine trading company Almeida & Ca.. The brand’s history is, however, closely linked to Manoel Moreira Barros, who from a young age stood out for his talent and entrepreneurial vision, quickly becoming a central figure in the company’s growth throughout the first half of the 20th century. Over time, the name Barros established itself as the house’s primary identity, giving rise to the brand that endures to this day.
1922
Acquisition of Quinta de São Luiz by Kopke
In 1922, during a period of strong commercial growth in the Port Wine sector, Kopke acquired Quinta de São Luiz. This milestone marked the company’s evolution from a diversified trading business into a renowned producer of Port Wine. Located on the left bank of the Douro River, near Pinhão, Quinta de São Luiz remains, to this day, the cradle of the brand’s wines.
1934
Creation of the Velhotes Brand
The Velhotes brand was created in 1934 within Cálem, inspired by a painting brought back by a company representative from a business trip to the Netherlands. The artwork depicted three men – an apothecary, a lawyer and a judge – gathered around a glass of Port Wine, an image that would later become the brand’s icon. Initially launched as a sub-brand of Cálem, Velhotes quickly won over Portuguese consumers with its approachable, good-humoured identity, gradually establishing a strong presence of its own in the market. Over the decades, the brand has consolidated its position as a benchmark in the Portuguese Port Wine segment and is today the category leader in both sales and brand awareness, with millions of bottles sold.
1998
Creation of the Sogevinus Group
The establishment of the Sogevinus Group marked a decisive step in bringing together historic brands under a professional and integrated management structure. This framework enabled the development of synergies and the projection of an ambitious long-term vision, transforming the organisation into one of the world’s leading operators in the premium wine sector.
2004
Acquisition of Quinta do Arnozelo
The acquisition of Quinta do Arnozelo expanded our viticultural heritage into the Douro Superior sub-region. This strategic move enabled the exploration of new sensory profiles and strengthened our capacity to produce premium wines, while ensuring supply sustainability and enhancing the biodiversity of our estates.
2019
Opening of Quinta de São Luiz to the Public
In 2019, the visitor centre at Quinta de São Luiz opened to the public. Visitors are invited to explore the history of the Douro, the estate and its vineyards, as well as the winemaking process – from harvest through to ageing. The experience concludes with a wine tasting, featuring both Douro still wines and Port Wines, with a range of tasting flights available.
2020
Incorporation of the Quinta da Boavista Brand and Estate
Quinta da Boavista has been recognised since the very first demarcation of the Douro wine region in 1756. Its presence is also recorded in the renowned 19th-century maps of Joseph James Forrester. Throughout the 20th century, the estate experienced challenging periods, passing through the hands of several owners who each contributed their expertise to the viticultural development of Boavista wines. In 2020, the estate was acquired by the Sogevinus Group, one of the leading wine groups in the Douro region.
2022
Opening of The Vine House
The Vine House, located at Quinta de São Luiz, was inaugurated with true wine tourism enthusiasts in mind. Blending charm and comfort, this accommodation – created through the restoration of a former family home – features eleven rooms, all overlooking the Douro River, offering front-row views over a landscape of outstanding beauty.
2025
Opening of Hotel Kopke in Vila Nova de Gaia
The Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia Hotel, located in Vila Nova de Gaia, opened its doors in February 2025, reinforcing Kopke Group’s strong commitment to wine tourism. This five-star property is the result of the restoration of Kopke’s former Port wine lodges, with part of the building continuing to house the brand’s wines – a unique dialogue between heritage, hospitality and winemaking.
2025
Transition to Kopke Group
The evolution into Kopke Group reflects the maturity of an organisation that honours its past while leading the future. This new corporate identity brings all operations together under a single mark of global excellence, symbolising the strength of a group that today stands as a benchmark for innovation, resilience and leadership in the wine sector."
