The available data on the founding of Quinta da Boavista is imprecise, but research by professor and historian Gaspar Martins Pereira shows that, at the time of the first demarcation of the Douro wine region, the vineyards in the Quinta's area were referenced as producers of "fine wines from the winery," the best Port wines produced in the Douro and destined for export.

Also documented is the presence of Quinta da Boavista in the famous maps of Joseph James Forrester, Mappa do Paiz Vinhateiro do Alto Douro, from 1843, and Douro Portuguez e Paiz Adjacente, from 1848.

Local tradition even attributes to him the replanting and treatment of the farm's vineyards during the powdery mildew outbreak in the 1850s, and one of the farm's buildings is still called 'Casa do Barão' (Baron's House) today.

After Forrester's death, Quinta da Boavista was purchased from the Baron of Viamonte in 1866 by the Baron Forrester's heirs – William Offley Forrester and Frank Woodhouse Forrester, who joined their uncle Francis Cramp – quickly transforming it into the strategic center of operations for one of the most important Port wine brands in the Cima Corgo region, a tradition that persists to this day. Since the 1860s, and especially after the devastation caused by phylloxera in the last quarter of that century, Quinta da Boavista has undergone significant changes.

It is true that during the Pombaline era, this area of ​​Cima Corgo was devalued by the legislature, but soon afterwards it would become one of the most sought-after areas of the Douro by English exporters, due to the excellence of its wines. And, in the 19th century, there are references to the sale of wines in the English market, such as the Vintage Boavista 1866, "which says a lot about the quality of the estate's wines," writes Professor Gaspar Martins.

In turn, Joseph James Forrester, an unavoidable figure in the history of the Douro and Port wine, is known to have maintained a strong connection with the estate and its owners, and it is likely that he leased it or bought its wine production.

It was also during this period that two estates were purchased and annexed to Quinta da Boavista – Quinta da Cachucha and Quinta do Ujo – and the houses and plantations were rebuilt, as well as vineyards and new terraces, olive groves, orange groves, almond groves and pine forests.

During the 20th century, the Quinta went through challenging times, having been in the hands of several owners who brought their know-how to the viticultural production of Boavista wines. In 2020, the Quinta was acquired by the Sogevinus Group, one of the largest wine groups in the Douro region.