John and Thomas Blackburn established a wine exporting firm in Madeira in 1760. They did not own vineyards but purchased the grape pressings from the natives.
They were succeeded by Robert and George Blackburn, and probably a temple joined them, as there was a family of that name in the island, hence the from later of Temple, Blackburn and Robinson.
About 1810, while out riding with the then Governor of the island they came across a spot where Palmeira now stands and were so struck by the beauty of the site that Robert decided to build there, and Quinta Palmeira was completed in 1811 at the cost of ₤40,000, a large sum for those days.
The land was Church property and strong representations were made by the local authorities to the Lisbon Government, and a great feud arose but it was finally satisfactory arranged.
About 1850 all the vines of the island were destroyed by the fungus Oidium Tuckori and the Blackburn firm closed and left the island.
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