Jose Ferreira Pinto Basto acquired the Ermida Farm, near Ilhavo, Portugal, in 1812. In 1816 he acquired the Vista Alegre Chapel, along with the surrounding grounds, where he would later build the Vista Alegre Factory.

In 1824 Jose submitted a request to King Joao VI to build an earthenware, porcelain, glassware and chemical processing factory for his sons, as stakeholders on an equal basis, on his farm, named Vista-Alegre da Ermida. A Royal Licence was issued and 5 years later Vista Alegre gained the title of Royal Factory in recognition of its artistry and industrial success.

They began by producing glassware and soapstone pottery, since the composition of porcelain clay was still unknown. In 1880 they ceased their glassware production to concentrate on porcelain. In order to overcome the difficulties related to porcelain production, Jose's son, Augusto, visited the Sevres Porcelain Factory where he studied the composition of porcelain clay and acquired the knowledge that would be crucial in the discovery of large kaolin deposits to the north of Ilhavo in 1832.

In May 2001 a merger between the Vista Alegre Group and the Atlantis Group brought glassware and crystal back to the company and resulted in the largest tableware group in Portugal.