The oldest foreign port house is C.N. Kopke, which is hardly known outside of Portugal and the Benelux. Within the Barros-Almeida group, the house has a certain autonomy. Some of their wines have received coveted awards in international competitions. However, the company would benefit from greater awareness and better distribution of the wines.
The company's archive was destroyed in a fire in 1882, causing much historical material to be lost. However, it is known that the company was founded in 1638 by a German, Christiano Kopke. Port was one of his many commodities, but it turned out to last the longest.
Several marriages have taken place between the German Kopkes and the Dutch Van Zellers. In one of these commitments Kopke took over the management of the famous Quinta do Roriz. Roriz was shipped by Kopke in the 18th century, making it one of the first port varieties to be exported as Single Quinta wine. The Van Zellers still own Roriz, but the Roriz grapes are no longer sold to Kopke.
The heart of the blend now comes from Quinta São Luiz, located downstream between the tributaries of the Torto and Távora. The Quinta was owned by Kopke from 1922 and was sold in 1953 together with the export company to Barros Almeida. Together with the nearby Quinta´s Lobata and Mesquita, they provide 8 percent of the company's demand. However, these are the most important percentages, as these are all class A vineyards.
Barros is very proud of its involvement in modern viticulture, so that the traditional terraces are gradually being replaced by modern patamares or vinha ao alto. That is why only a very small part of the wine is made in Lagares.