Quinta do Noval dates its history to the early 18th century. Nearly destroyed by the phylloxera that swept through the Douro Valley in the 1880s, it was sold in 1894 to Antonio Jose da Silva, a Port shipper. He and his son modernized and improved the estate and, as an astute marketer, da Silva concentrated on getting his Ports into the elite men’s clubs in London and England’s most prestigious universities. In the 20th century Quinta do Noval was the first Port producer to use stenciled bottles and to sell its Tawnies based on age. Though a fire ravaged the estate in 1981, the company recovered and in 1993 sold the estate to AXA Millesimes, an insurance conglomerate that also owns numerous wine estates in Bordeaux. Quinta do Noval owns 247 acres of vineyards planted to Touriga Nacional, Tinto Cao, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Sousao and Tinta Amarela. Annual production is 10,000 – 20,000 Bottles.