Since its foundation in 1692 by Job Bearsley, the company has remained independent. Now well into its fourth century, it has thrived and prospered, establishing itself as one of the world’s most respected historic wine houses. This has been achieved through the perseverance, pioneering spirit and continuity of purpose of successive generations of family involvement.

As well as giving the firm its current name, Joseph Taylor performed a pivotal role in the company’s history. His tenure bridged the gap between the Bearsley era and the arrival of the Yeatmans whose descendants own and run the company today.

John Fladgate was the first of the new partners to move to Oporto, arriving in 1836. In 1838 a partnership deed was signed in Oporto between John Fladgate and Morgan Yeatman and the firm adopted its present name of Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman. John Fladgate’s overriding passion was viticulture. In 1844 he bought the magnificent estate of Quinta da Roêda for the firm and began to divide his time between the estate and Oporto. John Fladgate focused on the quality of the wine, Morgan Yeatman on developing the business.