There are currently eight licensed Madeira wine producers, down from around 28 producers in the early 1900s. While Madeira wine production is now relatively consolidated, grape growing remains highly fragmented, with more than 1,600 growers across the island.

This guide brings together the key Madeira wine producers, historic house brands, and modern international labels in one place. Use it to see who produces Madeira wine, which brands belong to which company, and how each producer shapes its own house style.

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Understanding Madeira Wine Producers vs Brands

Like with most wines, the brand name on the label isn’t always synonymous with the name of the company that makes the wine. Madeira is no different. Some names on labels are licensed producers, others are historic house brands, and some are modern international brands bottled by a Madeira producer.

This page tries to join the dots between the brand name on the label and the name of the company who owns the brand and the name of the company that makes the wine. As always, there’s a little bit of history that goes along with this.

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Licensed Madeira Wine Producers

These are the officially registered companies permitted to produce and bottle Madeira wine under the DO Madeira regulations.

As listed by IVBAM, the eight recognised producers are:

Historic Madeira Wine House Brands

Many famous Madeira names are not separate producers today, but historic brands owned by one of the licensed producers above.

The Madeira Wine Company, for example, formed when a number of shippers pooled resources to make their individual companies more economical. Over time more shippers joined the Madeira Wine Company in a bid to make their brands economically viable. The Madeira Wine Company acquired the moniker The Shippers Graveyard.

Blandy’s, Cossart Gordon, Leacock’s, and Miles are all strong, highly regarded brands of Madeira that all used to also be independent shippers of Madeira. But now they are all brands belonging to The Madeira Wine Company.

Although these names appear on labels, production is carried out by the owning company.

This is common in Madeira, where centuries-old merchant houses were gradually consolidated.

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Independent & International Madeira Brands

Some Madeira wine labels are not producers or historic house brands, but modern brands created by importers or merchants working with a Madeira producer.

These brands do not make wine themselves. Instead, the wine is produced, aged, and bottled on Madeira by one of the licensed producers, and then sold under a separate brand name in export markets.

Examples include Broadbent (produced by Justino’s) and the Rare Wine Co. Historic Series (produced by Barbeito). While the name on the label may differ, the wine must still be made on Madeira under the same regulations.

This model is less common than historic house brands, but reflects Madeira’s global distribution and the close relationship between producers and international merchants.

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Madeira Wine Brands A–Z Directory

Brand	Est.	Notes
Adega Exportadora de Vinhos da Madeira	1930s	Madeira wine export label associated with H.M. Borges.
António Eduardo Henriques	1900s	Madeira wine brand owned and bottled by Henriques & Henriques.
Araújo, Henriques & C.ª	1920s	Historic Madeira wine label linked to the H.M. Borges portfolio.
Barbeito	1946	Independent Madeira wine producer and one of the island’s key house brands.
Belem’s Madeira Wine	1900s	Secondary Madeira wine brand produced by Henriques & Henriques.
Blandy’s	1811	Historic Madeira wine house now owned and produced by Madeira Wine Company.
Borges Madeira	1930s	Madeira wine label associated with H.M. Borges.
Broadbent	1990s	International Madeira wine brand produced and bottled by Justino’s for export markets.
CAF – Madeira Vintners	2010s	Licensed Madeira wine producer operating under the Madeira Vintners name.
Carmo Vinhos	1900s	Madeira wine label owned and produced by Henriques & Henriques.
Casa dos Vinhos da Madeira	1900s	Madeira wine brand used within the Henriques & Henriques portfolio.
Colombo	1990s	Madeira wine and table wine label produced by Justino’s.
Cossart Gordon	1745	One of the oldest Madeira wine houses; now part of Madeira Wine Company.
East India	1900s	Export-focused Madeira wine brand produced by Justino’s.
Fanal	2000s	Madeira wine label created for export markets by Justino’s.
Faria	1940s	Core house brand of J. Faria & Filhos.
Gloria Mundi	1900s	Export Madeira wine brand produced by Justino’s.
Henriques & Henriques	1850	Independent Madeira wine producer and one of the island’s key house brands.
H.M. Borges	1877	Family-owned Madeira wine producer and core house brand known for traditional ageing style.
Izidro	2000s	Export-oriented Madeira wine label produced by Justino’s.
J.H. Gonçalves & C.ª	1926	Historic Madeira wine label associated with H.M. Borges.
Justino’s	1870	Major Madeira wine producer and core house brand supplying both own-label and contract brands.
Leacock’s	1740s	Historic Madeira wine brand linked to British trade; now owned and produced by Madeira Wine Company.
Madeira Wine Company	1913	Licensed Madeira wine producer controlling several historic house brands.
Miles	1878	Traditional Madeira wine brand now owned and produced by Madeira Wine Company.
Pereira d’Oliveira	1880s	Historic Madeira wine producer and house brand specialising in vintage and long-aged wines.
Rare Wine Co. (Historic Series)	1990s	Historic Series Madeira wines produced in partnership with Barbeito.
Silva Vinhos	1900s	Madeira wine label within the Henriques & Henriques portfolio.
Veiga Vinhos	1900s	Madeira wine brand owned and produced by Henriques & Henriques.

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Best Madeira Wine Producers to Visit

Visiting a Madeira wine producer is one of the highlights of any trip to the island. Most producers are based in or around Funchal, making them easy to access, and many offer guided tastings, cellar tours, and the opportunity to explore historic ageing lodges.

Some of the best Madeira wine producers to visit include Blandy’s Wine Lodge (Madeira Wine Company), which offers one of the most comprehensive visitor experiences, and Henriques & Henriques, the only producer with extensive vineyard holdings on the island.

For those interested in older vintages, Pereira d’Oliveira is renowned for its historic stock of aged Madeira wines, while Barbeito provides a more modern perspective with a focus on freshness and precision.

Most visits can be arranged in advance, and tastings typically range from entry-level blends to rare vintage Madeira wines.

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Madeira Wine Producers FAQ

Who produces Madeira wine?

Madeira wine is produced by a small number of licensed companies on the island of Madeira, regulated by IVBAM. There are currently eight recognised producers, including Madeira Wine Company, Justino’s, Henriques & Henriques, and Pereira d’Oliveira.

Who makes the best Madeira wine?

There is no single “best” Madeira wine producer. Each producer has its own house style, with some known for accessibility and consistency, while others specialise in long-aged or vintage Madeira wines.

What is the oldest Madeira wine brand?

Some of the oldest Madeira wine brands date back to the 18th century, including Cossart Gordon (1745) and Leacock’s (1740s), both now part of Madeira Wine Company.

Why is Madeira wine so expensive?

Madeira wine can be expensive due to its long ageing process, limited production, and the cost of maintaining stocks over decades. Older wines, in particular, are rare and highly valued.

Does Madeira wine go bad?

Madeira wine is extremely stable due to its fortification and oxidative ageing. An opened bottle can last for months or even years if stored properly.

What are the four main types of Madeira wine?

The four classic styles are Sercial (dry), Verdelho (medium-dry), Bual (medium-sweet), and Malvasia (sweet), each reflecting different grape varieties and levels of sweetness.

Which is the sweetest Madeira wine?

Malvasia (also known as Malmsey) is the sweetest of the traditional Madeira wine styles.

What is the best time to visit Madeira?

Madeira can be visited year-round, but the best months are typically April to October when the weather is warmer and drier.

When not to visit Madeira?

The winter months (November to February) tend to be wetter, although Madeira’s climate remains mild throughout the year.

How many days in Madeira is enough?

Most visitors find that 4 to 7 days is enough to explore the island, visit wine producers, and enjoy the landscape.

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