Founded in 1920 by the brothers José, Manuel and Albano Costa, the Caves São João is a family business that was originally dedicated to the marketing of fine Douro wines and liqueurs. It is today, the oldest family-run wine company still operating in the municipality of Anadia.
In the 30s with the prohibition of the elaboration of Port wines outside Vila Nova de Gaia, the company starts to produce and commercialize Bairrada table wines. At the same time, it started the production of natural sparkling wines following the "champagne" method. At this stage, it is important to stress role played by the French aenologist Mr. Gaston Mainousson
It begins to export wines to the Brazilian market and, shortly thereafter, to the Portuguese colonies in Africa. By the end of the 50s, is born one of the most famous wine brands in the region of Bairrada - the famous ³Frei João" - immediately followed by the well-known "Porta dos Cavaleiros" from the Dão region.
Being the first to use the designation of Reserva for its wines, Caves S. João innovate in the wine market by using natural cork coated paper for its labels.
In the early 70s Caves São João acquire Quinta do Poço do Lobo, a rustic property with about 37 hectares, located in Pocariça, Cantanhede. The Quinta was afterwards fully replanted with selected and strictly parceled grape arieties.
With the grapes harvested there, the company started the production of the "Quinta do Poço do Lobo - Bairrada" wine, a Bairrada Red with grapes from the Baga, Moreto and Castelão varieties; the "Quinta do Poço do Lobo - Cabernet Sauvignon", a varietal wine with the most prestigious grape variety in the world; a white wine elaborated with the Arinto grape variety and the "Sparkling Quinta do Poço do Lobo", a sparkling wine with grapes from the Arinto and Chardonnay grape varieties.
Nowadays, and after some investment in the area of vinification and quality control, Caves São João are prepared to face future production challenges, always following the evolution of the markets and the demands of increasingly exigent and conscientious consumers.