Description
Originally from the Netherlands, the Niepoort family has a long tradition of port production that began with the foundation of their port house in 1842. Well over a century later, Dirk and his father Relf are the fifth and fourth generations respectively to manage the business.

Until recently, the company bought all its grapes from small growers but towards the end of the 1980s, Niepoort began to invest in its own quintas. In 1988 it purchased Nápoles, followed by Carril in 1989 and Quinta do Passadouro, an estate made up of four tiny vineyards, in 1990.

Niepoort is very traditional in its approach to making port. With most production farmed organically, the house avoids the use of pesticides and herbicides. While the presence of weeds may increase the strain on the vines resulting in less fruit, smaller yields invariably produce grapes of superior quality and concentration. As for the grape crushing, Dirk is a firm believer in the traditional method of 'treading' (by foot) and employs twice as many 'treaders' as the majority of producers in the region to extract maximum colour and flavour.

The Secundum 2000 was produced from vines that are more than 70 years-old (predominantly Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Tinta Amarela and Touriga Nacional) cultivated using the traditional methods from a very small vineyard found in the valley of Pinhão, in the sub-region of Cima Corgo. The grapes, with the stems included, were foot trodden in tanks (lagares) made of stone.

Wine Spectator 15/05/03 2003, USA

Wine Spectator 15/05/03 2003, USA

Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate Issue 143 30/10/02 2002, USA

James Suckling - Wine Spectator 15/09/02 2002, USA

James Suckling - Wine Spectator 15/09/02 2002, USA

Jancis Robinson MW - FT Weekend 15/06/02 2002, United Kingdom

Jancis Robinson MW - FT Weekend 15/06/02 2002, United Kingdom

Decanter Magazine Port Report Aug 2000, United Kingdom

Decanter Magazine Port Report Aug 2000, United Kingdom