Cossart Gordon

Cossart Gordon & Co. was established in 1745 and is the oldest company in the Madeira Wine trade. Francis Newton, a young Scot sailed from Gravesend in Britain and arrived in Madeira on September 12th 1745, founding the company. He was joined by his younger brother Thomas from 1758 to 1763 and then by another Scot, Thomas Gordon of Balmaghie also in 1758. Thomas Murdoch joined the firm in 1791 that came to be called Newton, Gordon, Murdoch & Co. 

By 1850 the firm was said to be shipping "half the growth of the island" and Newton's contacts in America through his brother Andrew (who left Scotland for Virginia) were proving to be highly successful and the company acquired an unequalled reputation as suppliers of fine Madeiras. The colonies in North America were at the time the largest and most discerning market, so much so in fact that the best production was widely known as "America Madeira". Madeira played such an important part in the American life that it was used to toast the Declaration of Independence on July 4th 1776.

In 1808, the Scottish dominance over the firm was broken with the arrival of William Cossart, an Irishman descended from the distinguished Hugnenot family of France. The title of the firm changed in 1831 with the arrival of Cossart's nephew Peter to the island. It briefly became known as Newton, Gordon, Cossart & Co., but with the death of Newton and the resignation of the last Gordon, the firm changed its name to the now world famous branding of Cossart, Gordon & Co.

The firm has always maintained its British nationality with a branch in London since 1748, and in 1909, because the family had grown so large, the firm was registered as a limited company. At the end of the 19th century the firm had expanded by including port, sherry, tarragona, marsala and malaga to their wine portfolio. These businesses continued until the outbreak of World War II when the firm decided to concentrate solely on Madeira.

The history of the British merchants on the isolated island of Madeira is fascinating and unique. Living and working in the Madeira wine trade with only infrequent contact with the outside world, they contributed very substantially to various spheres of activity that increased the island's prosperity and thus alleviated much poverty.

The Cossart family has been among the most influential on the island for nearly two centuries. The most authoritative book on Madeira, Madeira The Island Vineyard, was written by Noël Cossart, a past senior partner of the firm born on the island in 1907.
To this day, Cossart Gordon Madeiras are considered the very finest available.

The island of Madeira, of volcanic origin, was discovered in 1419 by the Portuguese Captain, João Gonçalves Zarco, and is an archipelago composed of two inhabited islands – Madeira and Porto Santo – and two small uninhabited islets, the Desertas and the Selvagens. Madeira’s location in the Atlantic made it an important strategic port of call which led to the rapid expansion of the island’s wine, especially in countries such as the United States of America. It was so popular in the USA that in the 18th century, Madeira wine is reported to have represented over 75% of all wine imported into this market.

The archipelago is situated at 32º 38’ latitude north and 16º 54’ longitude west, about 1100kms off the coast of Portugal, and 590 kms off the coast of Morocco. The total area of the island is 741 kms2, of which the vineyards occupy about 490 hectares.

The island relief is steep and a mountain range that climbs up to 1.862m (6.109Ft) in altitude above sea-level – the highest peak is Pico Ruivo – runs the length of the island, virtually dividing it in tow, and causing 7 different micro-climates that have a determining effect on where the vineyards are planted.

The overall sub-tropical and temperate climate, together with the fertile volcanic soils provide perfect conditions for the growth of a wide range of different crops.

Terroir(s) 

Madeira is rich and diverse in terroirs. As a volcanic island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the vineyards are exposed to the ocean breeze and the grapes from vineyards planted at lower levels can show saline and iodine notes.

The soils are acidic, rich in mineral, iron and phosphor, and poor in potassium, which all contribute to the trademark acidity of the wine. In fact, the acidity is one of the most remarkable assets of the wines, allowing this unique wine to keep fresh even after having been bottled for many years.

Irrigation is provided by an ancient system of canals called “levadas” that brings water from the mountains down to the agricultural plots, until the ocean

The volcanic island of Madeira was discovered in 1419 by the Portuguese Captain, João Gonçalves Zarco.

Madeira is an archipelago composed of two inhabited islands – Madeira and Porto Santo – and two small uninhabited islets, the Desertas and the Selvagens. The archipelago is situated at 32° 39’ 4’’ North and 16° 54’ 35’’ West, about 560 miles off the coast of Portugal, and 366 miles off the coast of Morocco. The total area of the island is 286 mi2, of which the vineyards occupy approximately 1220 acres.

The island relief is steep and a mountain range runs the length of the island with the highest peak Pico Ruivo, 6109 Ft.above sea-level. This range causes the island to have seven different micro-climates which has a determining effect on where the vineyards are planted.

The overall sub-tropical and temperate climate, together with the fertile volcanic soils provide perfect conditions for the growth of a wide range of different crops.

Located only 3 or 4 hours from most European capitals, Madeira island remains Europe’s most beautiful sub-tropical paradise which extends an invitation to visitors for just a weekend or a deliciously longer stay. As an echo to the past, many people now arrive by ship as Funchal is a favoured port on the Atlantic Ocean cruising routes. Over the last decade Madeira island has seen a smooth migration of tourismout of Funchal and into the rural districts of the island.

Levada walking, canyoning, surfing, deep seafishing, and mountaineering are some of the many reasons that people now visit the island.What they all find in common is that with its very low ratio of tourists to local population, they have a chance visit an island that lives and breathes another life other than being totally in thrall to the tourist Euro.

The pleasant soothing colours that invade the senses are the luxurious tones of rich green set against an azure Atlantic ocean - this truly is where Europe meets with the Tropics.