The Association of Port Wine Companies is a Private non profit making organization made up of majority of exporting port wine companies and is therefore regarded as the representative voice.
The principal objective of the AEVP is “the promotion and defence of the Industry and Commerce of Port Wine and the representation and protection of the interests of its member companies".

The AEVP coordinates and works with those firms who form part of the Visitors Centre Group. Through regular visits of an independent auditor it monitors member companies to ensure that they are observing the minimum quality and legal requirements.

Each member in its management of the Visitors Centre should:

• Offer a tour that is of a professional level;
• Use the Visitors Centre to educate the visitor and promote the image of Port Wine;
• Operate faithfully by publishing all the relevant information for the visitor, such as: opening    hours,    conditions for the tour, price list, commentary book;
• Dress its tour guides in uniform;
• Assume responsibility for the security of its visitors.

Port Wine, a symbol of Portugal in the world, holds the history of a country and its people and has become through the years a cultural landmark of the work, experiences, knowledge and art gathered through generations. Encloses in itself years and years of history and tradition, and it is attached to a region - The Douro Region - whose beautiful landscapes, source of attraction since the first moment for never to be forgotten, were influenced by it.

The Port Wine cellars are the right place to discover this Portuguese wine and all of its history. Open to the public, they give you the opportunity to taste this precious nectar, to meet its evolution through the years, the region where it is produced and the way it is obtained.