Quinta do Noval has a new website

[Andy Velebil]

I know many of us have waited a long time for the old one to be updated. Finally, it has arrived.

www.quintadonoval.com

[Eric Menchen]

Bug for me. When I first went to the site, it came up in French. The page let me pick a language, and while I tried multiple times to set the combo-box to English, after each time the choice would revert to French. But when I actually went to the site, it was in fact in English.

[Derek T.]

Bug for me. When I first went to the site, it came up in French. The page let me pick a language, and while I tried multiple times to set the combo-box to English, after each time the choice would revert to French. But when I actually went to the site, it was in fact in English.

The same thing happened to me.

[Andy Velebil]

Bug for me. When I first went to the site, it came up in French. The page let me pick a language, and while I tried multiple times to set the combo-box to English, after each time the choice would revert to French. But when I actually went to the site, it was in fact in English.

The same thing happened to me.

Strange, it did not do it when I first went to it and posted it here, but now I see what people are saying. guess some kinks need to be worked out.

[Carl D]

I, for one, would much rather have their old website back. The new one, while pretty, is buggy and slow. I too had the problem with the language selection popup not really working right.

[Phyllis D]

It’s most fortunate that the first time I visited their web site was just a few months ago when the old one was still up. I had just learned about the Quinta do Noval 1937 and over several days did some research on reviews of the Port (thanks Roy), pricing, Quinta do Noval, the Doro Valley, closest Hotels/B&B’s, other Port makers in the area, etc., etc. I found their previous website, while outdated, easy to move around, relatively quick to load, had a nice history and the determining factor was the information on so many of their wines.

If their new website was my first introduction to Quinta do Noval, I wouldn’t have made it past their first page. This would have been most unfortunate! Because I was able to get good information from their previous site our household has purchased their 1937 (3 bottles), 1964 (2 bottles), 10 year Tawny, Black, and have on order several other Noval bottles all within a few months.

Point in fact; their current web site would have lost them a good customer and postponed me becoming a PortHead by untold months or years.

[C. Gonzalez]

Thank you all for this useful feedback! As I was responsible for the old website and am also responsible for this one, I take it to heart. The bug about default French language when you entered the site was rectified last week: it annoyed me too: sorry about that. Phyllis, I am above all delighted that you like the wines of Quinta do Noval and I trust you will continue to do so even if you prefer our old website! One point regarding your comments about the information available in the old website (which was criticised for having too much writing in it!): If you click on the (admittedly very small) word "NAVIGATION" in the middle of the screen on the first page, a menu drops down with a huge amount of information available, history being part of this. I don't think that was sufficiently clear in the web design and we will be changing that straight away. Once again, thank you for the constructive feedback. Obviously I have received many emails from people telling me they like the site, but perhaps people hesitate to write directly with more critical comments, so For The Love of Port, and you, have performed a very useful service. I hope the result will be an improvement: we will do our best to answer your concerns. Sincerely, Christian Seely

[C. Gonzalez]

And it really is me writing and not C Gonzalez! Christian

[Roy Hersh]

Dear Christian,

Thanks for the clarification. Oddly enough, I finished my newsletter yesterday and sent it off and did not see your posts here. The recommended website this month is Quinta do Noval's. In my description and details, I also made a point of that key NAVIGATION button to make it easier for people to navigate the site. IF it is possible, if you could put that button more prominently or in BOLD font or even a color, I think it would be very helpful for that to be more visible.

I like the site alot, wish it was just a tad easier to get into, but once on the site, I spent well over an hour there perusing many of the features. Thanks for upgrading this and I think it is a great job. It would be great if more of the old vintages were included too. I think people like to see how these are doing.

Looking forward to seeing you at some point in 2012!

Roy

[C. Gonzalez]

Thank you Roy. After reading the thread about Port websites in general we will be adding in a map of the vineyard and also adding more details about older vintages. We have already modified the first page so that the menu drops down automatically when you go into the site. Many thanks for your recommendation of the site, which I read yesterday after responding to the various points here.

All best Christian

[Andy Velebil]

Christian,

I like the drop down menu automatically appearing, that way people know right away what it is. It also appears to me to now say "Enter" which I like much better than "Navigation" for a more universal understanding. Glad to hear you'll be putting in more back vintages and a map of the vineyard. While I know it's a bit of work, it is a fantastic resource for all of us Port Nerds who spend tons of time reading about our favorite drink. Really happy with the new site and thanks for chiming in here and listening to the feedback

[Phyllis D]

I just had a quick visit to the website again, most prominent was the speed at which the revamped new website loaded. It will be nice to take more time to poke around.

As I am NOT one to mince words when opinions are asked for, I for one must give kudos to Noval for their quick positive response to customer feedback.