Symington family estate
The current brands of port wines under the umbrella of Symington Family Estates are:
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Charles Symington
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Visit the port lodge here on our site
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GRaham’s
Graham's is a distinguished name in the Port wine industry, tracing its roots back to 1820 when it was founded by brothers William and John Graham. Hailing from Scotland, they dedicated themselves to producing the finest Port wines in the Douro Valley. Over the centuries, Graham's has become synonymous with outstanding Vintage Ports, renowned for their remarkable richness, depth, and balance.
Today, Graham's continues to uphold its tradition of craftsmanship, producing a variety of Port styles, from their iconic Vintage Ports to Aged Tawnies, Late Bottled Vintage (LBV), and others. Maintaining its family-run ethos, the Symington family - a renowned name in the Port wine industry - has overseen Graham's operations since 1970. This continued dedication to quality and the careful stewardship of historic vineyards such as Quinta dos Malvedos, ensures that Graham's legacy lives on in every bottle.
Dow’s
Dow's Port, a renowned name in the world of Port wine, was established in 1798 by Bruno da Silva, a Portuguese merchant who transported wine from the Douro Valley to London. Acquired by the Symington family in the early 20th century, Dow's has since become renowned for its superbly concentrated, structured and aromatic Ports.
Dow's owns two of the Douro's finest vineyards, Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira, each producing distinctive wines with a characteristic dry finish, a signature trait of Dow's Ports. Today, Dow's stands as a testament to high-quality winemaking, consistently producing Ports ranging from fine Tawny and Ruby Ports to their highly sought after Vintage Ports, celebrated for their intense richness and exceptional longevity.
Warre’s
Warre's, the oldest British Port wine company established in Portugal, dates back to 1670. It was officially founded in 1729 by William Burgoyne and John Jackson, and later came into the possession of the Warre family, a name it carries to this day. Acquired by the Symington family in 1961, Warre's continues to produce Port wines that reflect the rich heritage and craftsmanship of centuries.Warre's is renowned for the elegance and harmony of its wines. It owns Quinta da Cavadinha and Quinta do Retiro, two of the Douro Valley's finest vineyards, from which it produces a variety of Port styles. Its Vintage Ports, in particular, are recognized for their balance, opulent floral character, and extraordinary aging potential. Whether it's Ruby, Tawny, or Vintage, Warre's Port wines showcase a unique blend of tradition and innovation, always delivering a remarkable sensory experience.
COCKBURN’s
1815 by Robert Cockburn, a Scottish wine merchant. Known for its bold, innovative approach, Cockburn's contributed significantly to the development of the Port trade. In 1962, the Symington family became part-owners, fully acquiring it in 2010.
Cockburn's is famed for its premium Vintage Ports, which have consistently won critical acclaim. Their vineyards, including the Quinta dos Canais and Quinta do Vale Coelho, are home to old, low-yielding vines, providing the rich, concentrated grapes that define Cockburn's robust style. Today, while Cockburn's continues to produce outstanding Vintage Ports, it also offers a range of other styles, including LBV and Tawny Ports. True to its roots, Cockburn's remains dedicated to innovation and quality, solidifying its position as a key player in the Port wine industry.
Quinta do Vesuvio
In the current age, it is the noble Symington family who presides over the Quinta, continuing the tradition of creating exquisite Port wines of exceptional character. The vineyards of Vesuvio, nurtured by the fertile Douro soils and caressed by the golden sun, yield a bountiful harvest each year, transformed by time-honoured methods into the estate's famed Single Quinta Vintage Port.
A nice touch when opening up a wooden crate of 6 bottles of Vintage Quinta do Vesuvio wines, are the little tiles that are so recognizable for this Portwine.
Gould Campbell
Established in 1797, Gould Campbell is a distinguished Port wine house known for its time-honored tradition of creating high-quality Ports. Originally founded by Garret Gould, the brand was later acquired by the Symington family, who have carried forward the Gould Campbell legacy with unwavering commitment to excellence. Gould Campbell Ports are renowned for their robust, full-bodied style, characterized by a richness of fruit and complex structure. The winery's admirable portfolio ranges from indulgent vintage Ports to more accessible, everyday styles, each expressing an authentic taste of the Douro Valley's unique terroir.
Smith Woodhouse
Smith Woodhouse is a highly respected Port wine producer, established in 1784. This venerable house is renowned for creating Ports of exceptional quality and character, primarily recognized for its outstanding Vintage Ports. The company's vineyards are located in the remote and rugged Eastern Douro Valley, where the grapes develop intense, concentrated flavors. Owned by the Symington family since 1970, Smith Woodhouse has maintained its tradition of hand-harvesting and foot-treading grapes, ensuring an authentic expression of the region. Smith Woodhouse Ports embody an appealing richness and robustness, truly capturing the essence of the Douro.
Quarles Harris
Established by the Harris family, one of the oldest English clans in Porto, the eponymous company was founded in 1680, becoming one of the pioneers in the Port shipping business. A century later, the company, then known as Harris, Stafford & Co., was already the second-largest exporter of Port. As the 19th century rolled on, the firm, through familial connections with other notable Port families such as the Murats and the Nobles, eventually merged with Warre & Co. In the early 1920s, the company, Quarles Harris, was revitalized when Andrew James Symington, the major shareholder of Warre's at the time, restructured it in collaboration with his wife's cousin, Reginald Quarles Harris. Even today, the Symington family retains ownership of Quarles Harris.
Martinez
Martinez Port, established in 1790 by Sebastian Gonzalez Martinez, has held a pivotal role in the Port wine industry for centuries. Originating from London, Martinez, a Spaniard, engaged in the trade of sherry, cigars and Port. His business model involved sourcing Port from various producers and reselling it to British merchants who would then bottle it under their own brands. This pioneering strategy elevated the company to become the largest shipper of Port to the UK by 1849, with its own lodges in Oporto procured in 1834.
The Martinez legacy saw a transformative chapter in the early 20th century when it became a publicly listed company on the London Stock Exchange. This move came at a time when many Port shippers were encountering business difficulties. In a twist of irony, Martinez was purchased by John Harvey, a British wine merchant, in the 1960s. Harvey also procured Cockburn's, Martinez's prime competitor at the time. In 2006, the baton of stewardship passed to the Symington Family, who have since dedicated themselves to revitalizing the Martinez brand and reestablishing its acclaim for excellent Vintage Ports.
In contrast to many Port houses that are associated with specific quintas, Martinez has a unique charm. Charles Symington, head winemaker, defines Martinez's style as an opportunity to "just have some fun making interesting, satisfying wines." The brand isn't tied to a particular quinta or terroir, allowing freedom in crafting distinct blends. The grapes primarily come from small farmers in the Pinhão and Rio Torto valleys, known for their superior fruit quality, which is then skillfully transformed into Martinez's acclaimed Port wines.
Quinta de Roriz
Quinta de Roriz is an esteemed name in the Port wine industry, known for its tradition, terroir, and the superior quality of its wines. This historic Quinta is situated in the Douro Valley, Portugal's renowned wine region recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
The Quinta de Roriz estate boasts a rich history and a strong connection to the land, factors that distinctly shape its Port wines. It has been a wine-producing estate since the 17th century, standing as a testament to the centuries-old winemaking traditions of the region.
Today, Quinta de Roriz is renowned for its production of exceptional Vintage Ports and unfiltered Late Bottled Vintage Ports, characterized by their elegance, complexity, and longevity. Its terroir, a unique combination of schistous soils and a Mediterranean microclimate, imparts the wines with a distinct personality, with the old, terraced vineyards overlooking the Douro River playing a significant role in their character.
Quinta de Roriz's dedication to maintaining tradition while embracing modern winemaking techniques ensures that its Port wines continue to be revered by connoisseurs and critics worldwide. The estate stands as a true representation of the historical and cultural heritage of the Douro Valley, encapsulating its rich winemaking legacy in every bottle of Port wine it produces.
