Fonseca owes its international reputation to its iconic 1840 vintage port. It was founded in 1815, and four families have shaped the company originally established by the Fonseca and Monteiro families. They were followed by the Guimaraens who ran the business for over a century and established its reputation as a Premier Cru vintage port house. They were succeeded by the Yeatmans, who took over the reins at Fonseca in the second half of the 20th century. In the closing decades of the 20th century, Fonseca acquired a number of domaines in the Douro valley. The three domaines owned by the company are Cruzeiro and Santo Antonio (in the Pinhao valley) and Panascal (in the Tavora Valley). They are all managed organically. Fonseca is now owned by Taylor and David Guimaraens is in charge of vinification at the ultra-famous domaines.

Vintage Port is only produced in very great years, and comes from the three domains of Fonseca. Each of them lends its own typical character to this port. Cruzeiro supplies the muscular tannins and dark colour; Panascal provides the fruit and San Antonio lends complexity, acidity and aromas. It is possible to drink this port in its youth, but it will be even better if cellared for several years. Its ageing potential is immense: several decades at an absolute minimum.