The Fonseca was founded as a Port shipper by a Portuguese family in 1815. In 1822 Manuel Pedro Guimaraens joined and by 1865 his family took over the firm entirely which is why the firm is properly known as Fonseca-Guimaraens. Following a period of political upheaval in Portugal, the family moved to London where they became Anglicised so despite the Portuguese names, the Guimaraens family are today British. The firm is now owned by the Fladgate Partnership (Taylor’s) and the winemaker for the entire group is David Guimaraens. Today it’s considered to make some of the best wines in the region from vintage wines that need years to mature, more accessible single quinta and tawny wines, right down to the excellent everyday Bin 27 ruby Port.