Fladgate Family Wines Declares 2024 Vintage Ports

Fladgate Family Wines is pleased to announce the declaration of 2024 as a Vintage Port year for its three historic houses: Taylor’s, Fonseca, and Croft.

The much-anticipated announcement, made according to tradition on St George’s Day, marks a significant moment for the company, representing the first declaration across all three houses in seven years.

Hailed for their exceptional quality, classic vintages have been declared from all three houses in their distinctive styles, with the wines from the three houses of such limited quantity that they mark the smallest and rarest releases ever to be made. Rounding out the collection is Taylor’s Sentinels, a unique blend crafted from wines produced from historic properties in and around the Pinhão Valley, first released following the 2022 harvest in response to increasing demand.

The news concludes a period of heightened anticipation within the wine trade, confirming 2024 as the first general declaration – an historic moment when the majority of port houses make their declarations – since the last occurrence from 2017.

Speaking of this historic moment for the company, Managing Director Adrian Bridge comments:

“I am delighted to announce our decision to declare these 2024 Vintage Ports from Taylor’s, Fonseca, and Croft. While this represents our smallest and rarest declaration to date, the wines are of truly exceptional quality. We are particularly proud of our distinct house styles, created by the unique terroir of our historic properties across the Douro Valley, which are clearly present in these latest expressions. This formidable yet approachable cohort of wines would be ready to relish today with friends, but equally have great potential to be matured in the cellar in anticipation of future enjoyment.”

The excellent quality of the 2024 vintage arose following peak weather conditions, encompassing a warm growth period and strong water reserves, balanced with a cooler harvest. In this historic wine region, Fladgate Family Wines proudly upholds centuries-old traditions such as foot treading, which contribute to the exceptional quality of production, as well as maintaining the complexity and expressiveness of the wines.

Head Winemaker David Guimaraens lends his authority to the matter, remarking:

“We could not have asked for better growth conditions than those of 2024, that were typically warm throughout the summer followed by a cooler harvest period for long fermentations. The continued practices of foot treading and co-fermentation have had a significant impact on the house styles remaining unchanged but gaining more intensity. The 2024 declaration represents not only the quality of a single year but also a reaffirmation of the discipline required to declare a classic vintage. These wines reflect a season in which nature provided balance, allowing the vineyards of the Douro to speak with clarity, elegance, and authenticity. This is a vintage of purity and poise – one that captures the enduring spirit of the Douro in its most refined form.”

Fladgate Family Wines will be unveiling the new expressions at a series of showcase events, including a flagship event at Christie’s on 18^th May and The People’s Museum in Manchester on the 19^th May.