Fonseca Guimaraens is one of the most well known
port producers located in
Vila Nova de Gaia,
Portugal. It was originally founded in the 1600s as
Fonseca, Moneteiro & Company. The
Fonseca family conducted trade in
wine,
foodstuffs,
olive oil and
cloth primarily with
Brazil in exchange for
sugar cane,
hemp and
snuff from the colonies. By the year 1820, the Fonsecas primary trade was in port wine. In 1822
Manuel Pedro Guimaraens acquired the majority of the Fonseca holdings. The selling Fonsecas stipulated that their name be retained both as a brand name, and a family name for whoever should own the business. In 1948, the company was purchased by the Yeatman family, who own
Taylor, Fladgate and Yeatman, another of the big
Oporto port houses.
Fonseca and its sister Taylor Fladgate are considered to be among the top port houses in all of Portugal, along with W & J Graham's, Smith Woodhouse, Dow's, Warres and Croft.
Fonseca product include the premium reserve Fonseca Bin No. 27, Siroco White Port, 10, 20, 30 and 40-year tawny ports, various late bottled vintage ports and their classic vintage ports.
See also: 1977 Fonseca Vintage Port.
Sources:
http://www.fonseca.pt
http://www.kobrandwine.com/
http://eat.epicurious.com/