Porto Niepoort Colheita 1997 75cl

The fifth generation: Eduard Dirk Niepoort and Verena Niepoort. Dirk has been at the head of the company since Eduard Rudolph Niepoort's formal retirement in 2005. Dirk, born in 1964, discovered the world of wine during his studies in Switzerland. In 1987, Dirk joined his father, Rolf Niepoort, in the family business and was challenged to innovate while maintaining good traditions. The first important step was the acquisition of our own vineyards: Quinta de Nápoles and Quinta do Carril in Cima Corgo, a region that traditionally produces the best Port Wines. 15 hectares of vineyards were replanted, and 10 hectares of 60-year-old vines were carefully maintained. Owning Quintas and vineyards in the Douro was an important step towards the production of Port Wine and the creation of the first non-fortified Niepoort wines. Dirk's passion for wines, humble respect and curiosity for the Douro terroir has defined the spirit of Niepoort over the last two decades and is a constant inspiration for the team. Dirk's sister Verena joined the company as executive director in 2005.

The fourth generation: Eduard Rudolf van der Niepoort. Rolf was born in March 1927. He has had a great interest in mechanics since he was a child, but also has a good business sense. In 1950, he joined his father, Eduard, in the family business. His experience was a valuable complement and he was able to overcome a difficult period from a financial point of view. Rolf dedicated his interest to commercial and human relations inside and outside the company, and was conservative when it came to wine production. Rolf nostalgically remembers the production of a Vintage Port, the one from 1970, as if it were his own creation, from beginning to end. Currently, it is considered one of the largest ports in Niepoort. Like all members of the Niepoort family, he is a great collector: of old cars, antiques and especially Portuguese weapons.

The third generation: Eduard Marius Niepoort. Eduard was born on September 14, 1890, in Porto. He was extremely skilled and a born scientist. In 1912, due to the death of his father, Eduard Marius Niepoort was forced to join the family business. Rolf Niepoort, his son, remembers his father as a person “interested in several areas, such as chemistry, physics and mechanics, and was a man with a fine sense of humor.” In the words of Elisabete, who worked with him, already linked to the administrative area at the time, he was a true “icon of intelligence”, a person of integrity and very thoughtful in the decisions he made. Eduard Marius left the company as an active partner in 1980 and dedicated his time to his many hobbies and collections. Eduard Marius Niepoort passed away at the age of 91 (on June 3, 1982). His grandchildren, Dirk and Verena, remember his severity when it came to his studies and keep the memory of a grandfather with endless collections of books, stamps, coins and train tickets!

The second generation: Eduard Karel Jackob. Eduard Jackob was born in 1848, in Porto. Niepoort was already a prosperous company when Eduard Karel took over the family business and continued the work of his predecessor.

The first generation: Franciscus Marius van der Niepoort. The founder, Franciscus, was born in 1813, in Hilversum, in the Netherlands. He married Francisca Louisa Elisabeth Ehlers. Franciscus Marius came to Portugal to create the company Niepoort, a Port Wine producer. He founded the company as a salesman in Porto, without his own land or vineyards. He was primarily a Port Wine merchant. He died in Porto on March 7, 1887.

The art of Master Blender has also been passed down from generation to generation. José Nogueira was the fourth in his family to practice his art at Niepoort, having worked at the company for more than 50 years. His son José Rodrigo joined the team in September 2006 and worked together until 2011 and is currently the fifth generation of the Nogueira family.

In 2010, Niepoort celebrated Master Blender José Nogueira’s “50 years at home” with his family.