GRAHAM’S · COCKBURN’S · DOW’S · WARRE’S · QUINTA DO VESÚVIO · QUINTA DA FONTE SOUTO · QUINTA DO ATAÍDE · PEQUENO DILEMA ILUSTRES DESCONHECIDOS · PRATS & SYMINGTON · VÉRTICE · MENDES & SYMINGTON · HAMBLEDON · ALTANO · BOM MALANDRO —1—
FOR THE NEXT GENERATION Pioneering winemaking that meets the challenges of our time
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4th and 5th generations of the Symington family
OUR STORY Symington Family Estates is the world’s leading producer of premium ports and one of the top Portuguese wine producers. We produce four of the leading port brands, Graham’s, Cockburn’s, Dow’s and Warre’s, as well as a portfolio of Douro wines consisting of Quinta do Vesúvio, Quinta do Ataíde, Altano, Prats & Symington, and the recently launched Pequeno Dilema, Ilustres Desconhecidos and Bom Malandro. We also produce a range of wines from our estate in the Portalegre subregion of the Alto Alentejo, Quinta da Fonte Souto, and have recently acquired an estate, Casa de Rodas, in the prestigious Monção and Melgaço sub-region of the Vinho Verde DOC.
We are a family of British and Portuguese origin that has lived and worked in Portugal since the 19th century. Our family business – run by the 4th and 5th generation – is founded on a deep commitment to Portugal’s people, its lands and its wines. Today there are 12 family members working across the business, committed to producing the finest ports and wines and building on the achievements of the previous generations. We are the leading vineyard owners in the Douro Valley with 26 vineyard estates covering a total of 2,233 ha of which 1,076 ha are under vine.
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OUR COMMITMENT All our vineyards are sustainably managed under a minimum intervention certification and 130 ha are organically farmed – the largest area of organic vineyard in northern Portugal. We have invested significantly in viticulture R&D to adapt to climate change and have an ambitious sustainability plan, with a series of public goals under the banner of Mission 2025.
certification and the only standard that measures a company’s entire social and environmental performance. In 2019 we were named Ethical Company of the Year in The Drinks Business Green Awards. As one of the first members of International Wineries for Climate Action, we are at the forefront of efforts to decarbonise the wine sector and are proud to be part of the UN’s Race-to-Zero campaign.
We are a certified B Corporation – the first wine company in Portugal to take this step. B Corp is the world’s most comprehensive sustainability
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The Douro is the largest area of mountain vineyard on earth – and we farm the most vineyards in the region. We maintain 93km of old, hand-built stone terraces on our properties – a key part of the Douro’s UNESCO World Heritage status and a valuable species habitat. With such challenging terrain, most of our vineyard work continues to be done by hand.
We run three grape variety libraries, which include many rare indigenous varieties from the Douro and other regions in Portugal. Through these research vineyards, we are aiming to preserve Portugal’s viticultural heritage whilst conducting important analysis on the ability of our vines to adapt to climate change.
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GRAHAM’S PORT The history of Graham’s is the story of two families of Scottish descent: the Grahams and the Symingtons.
Meanwhile, in 1882, nineteen-year-old Andrew James ‘AJ’ Symington sailed from Scotland to Porto to work for the Graham family. Although AJ left Graham’s shortly after to establish his own port business, his grandsons acquired the company from the Graham family in 1970 when it was offered for sale. Since then, the Symington family have further developed and consolidated Graham’s reputation for producing superb ports.
The company was founded in Porto by brothers William and John Graham in 1820 with the ambition of making exceptional ports. They rapidly became one of the most highly regarded producers and their success culminated in 1890 with the acquisition of the famous Quinta dos Malvedos in the heart of the Douro Valley and the construction of a small stone winery at the estate – where all Graham’s ports have been made since. In the same year, the company built a new lodge downriver near the coast in Vila Nova de Gaia to age its wines. — 06 —
SIX GRAPES
SIX GRAPES VILA VELHA
The Six Grapes symbol originated in the nineteenth century. Following each harvest, Graham’s winemakers would mark each barrel of port using grape symbols to rate the quality of the wine from one to six. The image of six grapes on a barrel meant the wine inside had Vintage Port potential. It indicated complexity, structure, and balance. By the early 1900’s, Graham’s had started bottling wine selected from these barrels under the Six Grapes label. Over a century later, Six Grapes continues to be Graham’s signature reserve port.
The Six Grapes Special Vila Velha Edition is a limited bottling drawn exclusively from the finest grapes grown at Quinta da Vila Velha – one of the four Douro estates that supplies Graham’s Port. The property was purchased in 1987 by the late third-generation port producer, James Symington, and over three decades, James restored and extended the quinta. Vila Velha produces well-structured and balanced wines that form key components of Graham’s Vintage Ports. This special edition was bottled to mark James’ passing in 2020 and to honour his role in developing Graham’s iconic Six Grapes label.
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LATE BOTTLED VINTAGE
NATURA
Late Bottled Vintage Ports are a wonderful expression of one particular year. Sourced from our own vineyards to ensure consistency of quality and style underpinned by the family’s commitment through generations, LBV offers an experience that is comparable to Vintage Ports. As LBVs spends twice as long in wood as Vintage Ports, they are bottled ready to drink with no need for decanting.
Natura is produced using organic grapes, grown at two of our leading estates in the Upper Douro Valley. Situated 150 and 350 metres above sea level, these vineyards benefit from well aerated and dry conditions, which in turn allows each vine to develop its own natural defences. Wonderfully fresh, floral and elegant, this ruby reserve port is made using 100% organic grapes.
Everything about this wine is simply stunning. MATTHEW JUKES, THE DAILY MAIL
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Graham’s Blend Series represents a fresh and innovative take on port. Leading the way are Blend Nº5 White and Blend Nº12 Ruby Ports – the first wines we’ve produced specifically for mixing. A contemporary feel and award-winning design from fashion illustrator António Soares gives the Blend Series a striking and versatile presence in the cocktail scene and in the on-trade, while also standing out and offering something exciting in the off-trade. The Blend Series marks a new chapter in the history of port. It helps fuel the invention and creativity, uplifting any port moment regardless of the setting, season or occasion. — 09 —
AGED TAWNY COLLECTION The Tawny – Graham’s signature blend Matured for an average of seven to nine years in seasoned oak casks, this is Graham’s Master Blender’s personal interpretation of a fine wood-matured port.
30 Year Old – The wonders of wood This wine’s contact with the wood of the cask works hand-in-hand with time to create one of our greatest wines. Only decades of tasting and careful nurturing will allow a wine of this delicacy and quality to emerge.
10 Year Old – A tribute to craftsmanship Graham’s 10 Year Old Tawny Port epitomises the passion for excellence and precision that is at the heart of every one of our tawny ports.
40 Year Old – A testament to time This wine is composed by Graham’s Master Blender, Charles Symington, from wines put aside in the cellar by his great-grandfather, grandfather and father. The 40 Year Old is for those who appreciate the extraordinary, complex, and subtle taste of time.
20 Year Old – The perfect balance This is a port that has been perfected over two decades, matured in seasoned oak casks for an average of twenty years. Most wine lovers consider the 20 Year Old to be the perfect age and have the balance of maturity of a truly great port. — 10 —
THE CELLAR MASTER’S TRILOGY Graham’s Single Harvest Tawny Ports are limited release wines selected from outstanding, individual harvest years. These wines from Graham’s ‘A’ grade vineyards are set aside for long term ageing in seasoned oak casks over decades. Charles Symington, Head Winemaker and Master Blender, continuously tastes the wines as they mature and identifies when a Single Harvest Tawny Port is ready for bottling, showing extraordinary character.
The Apprentice – This wine captures the beginning of the journey, an apprenticeship to guide and mentor the new generation of future Cellar Masters. It celebrates youthfulness and balance. The Artisan – This wine reflects the importance of complementary crafts and areas of expertise which are essential for shaping wines that are aged for decades. It celebrates true craftsmanship and elegance.
Our Cellar Master, coopers and tasters play a vital role in accompanying the ageing process of all the wines in the Trilogy. The Cellar Master’s Trilogy therefore pays homage to the skills, experience and craftsmanship honed by only a few over generations to perfect these Graham’s Single Harvest Tawny Ports.
The Master – This wine pays tribute to three generations of Master Blenders who contributed to its prolonged ageing in the cellars, carefully nurturing it until only the very finest casks ultimately merited selection for bottling in limited quantities. It celebrates perfection and complexity. — 11 —
VINTAGE PORT Graham’s Vintage Ports are known for their opulent style, complexity, and balance. When young, they have expressive floral aromas with hints of eucalyptus and mint. They age gracefully over decades, developing complex dried fruit notes and long silky finishes.
Quinta dos Malvedos Vintage Port is the ultimate expression of terroir in the Douro, produced from our principal estate. Graham’s Vintage Port is produced only in exceptional years and drawn from the finest parcels across Graham’s four estates.
“I can clearly remember the intensity of the wines with remarkable fruit character and a beautiful, layered complexity. As my father and I tasted the best wines from the 1994 harvest over the following year, we became convinced we had the potential to make some of the greatest Vintage Ports of the 20th century. And the decision to declare the 1994 vintage was one of the quickest in my career.” Charles Symington
Graham’s The Stone Terraces Vintage Port is made from the finest plots of mature vines planted across the stone terraces at Quinta dos Malvedos, delivering truly unique wines.
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COCKBURN’S PORT A long history of doing things our own way Cockburn’s has always questioned the so-called ‘rules’ for making port. Back in 1815, Robert and John Cockburn, two brothers from Scotland, bypassed the merchant’s fair in Porto and bought the very best grapes directly from farmers upriver in the Douro.
in 1969, we launched Special Reserve, bridging the gap between rarified vintage and ruby port. The result of this non-conformist approach? Even better port for everyone.
The quality of the wine – that is the first thing to be looked to.
Ever since, we’ve done things our way, declaring vintage years whenever we feel it’s right, regardless of what rival port houses might think, and,
ROBERT COCKBURN, 1781-1844
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CORE
SPECIAL RESERVE THE PORT THAT CHANGED THE GAME
Originally introduced in 1969, Cockburn’s Special Reserve bridged the gap between Vintage Ports and their younger counterparts, creating an approachable yet complex new port category. Produced from wines selected for their richness and concentration from the finest vineyards in the Upper Douro Valley, Special Reserve is matured in oak casks for five years before being bottled. This longer wood-ageing gives its fruity, full-bodied palate a distinctive dry finish, making it the benchmark for all reserve ports. — 14 —
FINE RUBY
FINE TAWNY
PORTO BRANCO
THE PORT THAT NEVER SAYS NO
IF YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW
PORTO’S WORST KEPT SECRET
Comfortable in any setting, our ultra-adaptable Fine Ruby has a bright and fruity style that mixes as easily as it stands alone. Made with a selection of young wines from a variety of harvests, it’s aged in oak for two to three years before its youthful red-fruit flavours are released into the world, ready to enjoy.
And if you don’t, you need to find out. Our Fine Tawny has fervent fans around the world who love it for its caramel nuttiness and easy-going nature. And who are we to argue? This vibrant wine is expertly blended and matured for up to three years in seasoned oak casks before being bottled, ready to drink.
A refreshing blend of young wines from high altitude vineyards, Cockburn’s Porto Branco is matured in stainless steel for up to 18 months before being bottled. Long served as an aperitif at get-togethers in the Douro, overseas visitors to the Cockburn’s Lodge have begun taking and sharing the secret back home.
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PREMIUM
LATE BOTTLED VINTAGE
10 YEAR OLD TAWNY
20 YEAR OLD TAWNY
MADE FOR THE FUTURE
THE GODFATHER OF THE DOURO
In the hands of our winemakers, time isn’t just a tool, it’s an ingredient. Our 10 Year Old Tawny is a careful blend of old and young ports designed to hit that perfect balance between younger and more mature and developed tawny ports.
When this wine went into oak, mobile phones were still a novelty and electric cars were science fiction. Made from ports of the highest quality, our 20 Year Old Tawny is a delicate blend of wines cask-aged for an average of 20 years. This prolonged ageing allows the wine’s rich fruit character to mellow while developing complex aromas only achieved through time.
AKA LIQUID BLOOMING VOODOO
Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Ports are wines of a single very good year that age in large oak vats for between four and six years, until they reach an ideal level of maturity. LBVs are then bottled, ready to be enjoyed without the need for decanting as the natural sediment is left behind in the vat. They are rich, full-bodied wines with a smooth texture, mellowed over time by the wood ageing.
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VINTAGE
QUINTA DOS CANAIS
VINTAGE PORT
OUR BACK GARDEN IN A BOTTLE
PICK OF THE CROP, TOP OF THE HEAP
Our Vintage Port ‘declarations’ are few and far between, but in the intervening years, our favourite vineyards from our home at Quinta dos Canais consistently produce a remarkable yield – and we reckon that deserves to be celebrated in its own right. This Vintage Port flaunts the flavours from our home.
It doesn’t get any better than our Vintage Port. If all the conditions are perfect and the port gods are smiling down on us, we declare a vintage year. Because of the unique microclimate of our vineyards, we sometimes declare vintage years when our neighbours don’t. It’s been known to raise the odd eyebrow but it’s just how we do things. Exquisitely rare and painstakingly created, our Vintage Port is a gift from our home to yours. And gifts are meant to be opened. Eventually.
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TAILS OF THE UNEXPECTED A new generation at Cockburn’s challenged our winemakers to produce a range of experimental ports that would be perfect for mixing. Crafted from only the highest-grade, hand-picked grapes, usually reserved for our finest wines, our Tails of the Unexpected ports are bottled young to preserve the fresh fruit flavours that allow them to shine when mixed, making for effortless and enjoyable serves. Ports without limitations.
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WHITE HEIGHTS
RUBY SOHO
TAWNY EYES
FROM VINEYARDS ON HIGH
TRADITION REINVENTED
THE LIFE AND SOUL
A fragrant, high-grade, slightly drier white port produced from the top 10% of grapes from the high-altitude vineyards of the Favaios sub-region of the Douro Valley, giving it more acidity, freshness, and lift than other white ports.
A delicious premium ruby port bursting with ripe red fruit and brimming with character. Using grapes from Cockburn’s Quinta dos Canais, deep in the Douro Superior, this wine is made up of the estate’s finest grapes with Vintage Port potential sourced across three separate vintages, bottled young and exceptionally vibrant.
A barrel-aged tawny port sourced from the finest casks usually destined to produce our 20 Year Old Tawny Ports. Aged in the Douro for longer than other tawny ports and brought down from our vineyards just before the full heat of the summer, Tawny Eyes is blended to be unexpectedly expressive and vibrant. Bottled young to preserve a balance between complexity and fruit.
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DOW’S PORT Producers of legendary ports for over two centuries The name of Dow’s has been closely linked with the finest ports from the Douro Valley for over two centuries.
Producing legendary ports takes time, patience, and a unique knowledge of the craft. Family-owned for over two centuries, Dow’s ports combine generations of winemaking experience with outstanding Douro terroir.
Since 1912 when Andrew James Symington became a partner in Dow’s, five generations of Symington winemakers have worked at Dow’s vineyards, creating superbly concentrated wines known for their distinctive drier finish. Dow’s is renowned for having produced many memorable wines including the only Vintage Port made this century to receive a perfect 100-point score.
The Dow’s name has long-been associated with some of the finest Vintage Ports ever produced and a wide range of carefully crafted ports.
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LATE BOTTLED VINTAGE
VINTAGE PORT
Full-bodied and perfectly balanced, Dow’s Late Bottled Vintage Ports are carefully selected to reflect the unique characteristics of each vintage and are only bottled in the best years. Aged for up to six years in seasoned oak vats, our LBVs are bottled ready to drink and pair well with chocolate desserts or cheese.
Dow’s Vintage Ports represent the pinnacle of our winemaking. From the end of the 19th century, Dow’s Vintage Ports have been blended principally from two estates – Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira – producing muscular wines with powerful, peppery tannins and a signature long, dry finish. We only produce Dow’s Vintage Port in exceptional years when conditions are superb throughout the region.
Dow’s LBV has always been a true second wine of Dow’s, a brand that is renowned for its highscoring Vintage Ports, and this new presentation now better reflects the heritage and provenance associated with the name.
We bottle single estate or ‘Quinta’ Vintage Ports from Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira in years when the quality is limited to the best parcels at these two properties. These wines are wonderful expressions of terroir in the Douro.
RUPERT SYMINGTON
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AGED TAWNY COLLECTION
COLHEITA
Dow’s Aged Tawny Ports are the ultimate expression of the art and craft of winemaking, cooperage, and blending. Aged in seasoned oak for decades, our aged tawny ports balance nuanced wood character with original fruit flavours and our signature dry finish.
Born from a single harvest and aged in seasoned wood for at least seven years – and often much longer, – Dow’s Colheita ports are known for their immense delicacy, richness and intensity of flavour. All Dow’s wines are aged under the watchful eye of our coopers and blenders in the Dow’s Lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Love the depth and layers of dried fruits on the palate, which shows figs, chocolate and caramel undertones. Full-bodied and very sweet with firm and lightly chewy tannins. Wild finish.
Colheita 2007 Produced using wines from one of the most celebrated vintages ever, the 2007 has fresh, youthful fruit, softened by more than a decade spent in seasoned oak casks in the Dow’s Lodge. Our hallmark dry and spicy finish makes the 2007 the perfect accompaniment to sweet pastries such as apple tart.
JAMES SUCKLING, REVIEW OF DOW’S 20 YEAR OLD TAWNY
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CLASSIC & RESERVE Fine White Port is produced from Douro Valley white grape varieties and is fermented between 18-22 celsius, without contact with the skins. Aged for an average of three years, it is bottled ready to drink and requires no further ageing.
DOW’S CLASSICS Fine Ruby Port is a blend of traditional Portuguese grape varieties including Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca. Dow’s Fine Ruby is aged in seasoned oak casks at the Dow’s Lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia for an average of three years. The wine is full-bodied and has appealing red fruit driven aromas.
DOW’S FINEST RESERVE Dow’s Finest Reserve is produced with our continued commitment to producing legendary ports. This ruby port is aged to perfect maturity under ideal conditions in Dow’s historic stone-walled lodge, built in 1825. Bottled ready to drink, this wine pairs wonderfully with dark chocolate desserts or cheese.
Fine Tawny Port is a three-year-old blend aged in small oak casks. The barrel ageing produces a smooth style of wine, combining subtle fruit with delicious velvety nutty flavours derived from the cask ageing.
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WARRE’S PORT Established in 1670, Warre’s Port is the oldest British company in Portugal, and has been a family business for more than 14 generations. In 2020, Warre’s Port celebrated its 350th anniversary – a milestone in its illustrious history.
For 350 years, Warre’s has been a pioneer in the port trade, from advances in the winery to viticultural research. It was one of the first port houses to build a lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia in the 18th century, where to this day, its wines age undisturbed until time for bottling.
Warre’s is synonymous with the history of the British in Porto. Not only did William Warre serve as British Counsul in Porto, but his famous descendent (another William Warre) fought as an officer in the Peninsular War against Napolean under the Duke of Wellington, whom he kept supplied with port.
This pioneering spirit, combined with a deep respect for heritage and tradition, form a unique combination that places Warre’s firmly at the heart of the history of the port trade.
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THE CLASSICS Heritage Ruby Port – a robust, dark fruity wine full of youthful vigour. A blend of young, vibrant wines from different vintages, stored for up to three years in oak vats before they are blended, filtered and bottled ready to drink.
Fine White Port – produced from traditional white grape varieties. The fermentation takes place off the skins in order to produce a more delicate style of wine. A brief ageing process takes place at our lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia in a combination of oak casks and stainless steel tanks. It is refreshing and an excellent aperitif.
King’s Tawny Port – a three-year-old blend. Through selective and skillful blending it brings together the youthful fruit aromas of young wines and the fine balance and mellowness achieved through maturation in oak casks.
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WARRIOR Warrior is a reserve ruby port of exceptional elegance and concentration. Well over two and a half centuries old, Warre’s Warrior is the oldest port brand in existence. Since the 1750s, Warre’s Warrior has been used to toast many occasions.
This is a classic reserve ruby, full of berry fruits, juicy acidity and light tannins. Hints of dried fruits combine with red berries to give a wine that is stylish and dry in the Warre’s style.
The grapes are sourced from Quinta da Cavadinha in the Pinhão Valley and Quinta do Retiro Antigo in the Rio Torto Valley. The higher altitude vineyards at Quinta da Cavadinha are cooler, which gives the port freshness, elegance, acidity and balance. The Retiro vineyard brings concentration and structure to the Warrior blend.
ROGER VOSS, WINE ENTHUSIAST
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BOTTLE MATURED LATE BOTTLED VINTAGE
VINTAGE PORT
Warre’s traditional method of ageing LBVs marries both wood and bottle ageing for a distinguished style. Four years of ageing in wood, followed by bottling without any filtering and another four years maturing in the bottle prior to release, gives this unique LBV similar characteristics to Vintage Port. Sourced from the very best of Warre’s vineyards including Quinta da Cavadinha, Warre’s bottle matured LBV has a hallmark balance and elegance as well as structure.
Warre’s Vintage Ports are distinguished for their structure, elegance and softly perfumed nose. Produced only in exceptional years, Warre’s classic Vintage Ports are a blend of the very best wines from the historic properties of Quinta da Cavadinha and Quinta do Retiro, together with contributions from Quinta das Netas and Quinta da Telhada. Blended from the best plots of vineyard from Warre’s principal estate, Quinta da Cavadinha Vintage Port is the ultimate expression of terroir in the Douro. Reflecting the estate’s high altitude, the wines are fresh and elegant with superb complexity originating from the old, mixed vineyards at the property.
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Enticing, with green tea, ginger, toasted sesame, caramel and date flavours that glide through, with finely stitched acidity and a flatterying flash of sweetness. Delivers understated elegance. JAMES MOLESWORTH, WINE SPECTATOR
OTIMA Warre’s Otima embodies the pioneering spirit that has long been associated with Warre’s. Causing a revolution in the port trade at the end of the 20th century, Otima helped to rejuvenate port’s image in its main markets and attract a completely new consumer. With its elegant and award-winning design, Otima is now widely acknowledged as one of the most successful new developments in the port trade in the last century.
Otima 1992 – for over 30 years, this colheita has been slowly ageing in seasoned oak casks at the Warre’s Roope Lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia. Starting its life in 1992 as a young and vibrant port, three decades in cask has helped it develop into an incredibly smooth and balanced mature tawny port. Otima 2013 – a beautiful expression of a tawny port from a single year that has been aged in cask for 10 years before being bottled. Beautifully floral with typical Warre’s charm and elegance, combined with ripe red fruit and English fruitcake notes.
Otima 10 – a blend of high quality wines, matured in seasoned oak barrels, creating a sophisticated yet versatile wine. Otima 20 – expertly crafted and exquisitely balanced, this tawny port still portrays its youth, balanced with the character of prolonged barrel ageing in seasoned wood. — 28 —
CRAFTING THE NEXT GENERATION OF DOURO WINES We were amongst the pioneers in the development of Douro wines in the late 1990’s, producing Chryseia, Post Scriptum (together with the Prats family), Quinta do Vesúvio, Quinta do Ataíde and Altano. Chryseia was the first Portuguese red wine to ever appear in the Wine Spectator list of the 100 Best Wines of the World.
them rare and almost forgotten, as part of a long-term study program to preserve indigenous varieties. Additionally, Symington is the leading organic vineyard farmer in the north of Portugal, conducting R&D studies to push the boundaries of organic viticulture. All remaining vineyards are farmed under a strict minimum intervention protocol called Integrated Production Management, certified annually by SATIVA.
We have also been leading innovators in Douro viticulture and winemaking with two experimental vineyards, with 53 different grape varieties, many of
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OUR WINE PORTFOLIO Championing the best of Portuguese wine Our portfolio showcases the best of Portugal’s incredible terroirs and indigenous varieties – combining our passion for producing fine wines with a deep commitment to each region’s land and people.
ESTATES
ORIGINALS
PARTNERSHIPS
ESSENTIALS
Our leading estates – each with a range of wines showcasing their unique terroir.
Our range of special, limited-edition releases and experimental wines from specific vineyards.
Wines produced in partnership with prestigious winemakers from other regions, as well as local experts.
Approachable wines that celebrate the character of a particular region and its grape varieties.
PORTUGAL
DOURO
ALENTEJO
UNITED KINGDOM
VINHO VERDE
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HAMPSHIRE
ESTATES
QUINTA DO VESÚVIO The Queen of the Douro Quinta do Vesúvio is one of the greatest estates of the Douro and has been considered one of the most important properties of the Douro throughout its long history. The magnificent house, chapel and winery were built in 1827. The 137-hectare vineyard is predominantly north and west facing and rises from 110 metres at the riverside to 450 metres above it. This estate makes exceptionally balanced wines, amongst the finest in the entire region. The soil is predominantly schistous with small granite outcrops.
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A STORY ABOUT OBSESSION It was the single-minded devotion of two Douro visionaries, passionate about the region, that first carved out Vesúvio’s seat as one of the Douro’s and Portugal’s national treasures. António Bernardo Ferreira I and his daughter-inlaw, Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira, were the people behind the creation of the quinta as a premium wine estate. Later, after passing through the expert care of the Brito Cunha family, Vesúvio was acquired by the Symington family, who became the quinta’s guardians in 1989.
Over all those who have been there Vesúvio casts her spell. This is one of the last places in the world where human feet tread the grapes picked during the day in the cool of the night, accompanied by music and dancing. It is a hauntingly beautiful thing to witness.
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TWO CENTURIES OF WINE HISTORY Two hundred years have passed since António Bernardo Ferreira acquired Quinta do Vesúvio. Back in 1823, the landscape looked dramatically different when compared to the present day: instead of vineyards, the estate was well known for its large fields of cereal, hay and fig trees.
This gargantuan task started in 1823 and took eight years to complete. Around 500 people manually carved large terraces, building intricate stone walls and planting thousands of vines. In 2023, we’re celebrating the 200th anniversary of Quinta do Vesúvio as a wine producing Douro estate and the 200th anniversary of its purchase by António Bernardo Ferreira.
António Bernardo strongly believed that Quinta do Vesúvio, then called Quinta das Figueiras, had the potential to become one of the best wine producing estates and therefore ordered the planting of 150 hectares of vines.
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A powerfully built and nevertheless elegant wine with a long future. JULIA HARDING MW, 2022
QUINTA DO VESÚVIO THE QUINTESSENTIAL EXPRESSION OF THE DOURO
The estate started producing Douro DOC wines in 2007 and they quickly reached international status. The Quinta do Vesúvio wine is the ultimate example of elegance combined with a long ageing potential.
The main component of this wine is the Touriga Nacional grown in the Quinta Nova vineyard, located at 450 metres altitude, with a fine westerly aspect. This area of the estate was acquired for Vesúvio by Dona Antonia Ferreira in the mid-19th century. Little can she have imagined how valuable these high vineyards would be for the estate’s red wines in the 21st century.
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POMBAL DO VESÚVIO
COMBOIO DO VESÚVIO
CAPTURING VESÚVIO’S ESSENCE
A JOURNEY TO VESÚVIO’S HERITAGE
One of the principal components of Pombal do Vesúvio comes from the terraced vineyards that surround the ancient dovecote (‘pombal’ in Portuguese). These terraces were planted primarily with Touriga Nacional in 2000 and form the heart of this legendary Douro property. Touriga Franca from the Vale da Teja and Minas vineyards is the other significant contributor to Pombal, along with a smal contribution of Tinta Amarela from the Quinta Nova vineyard.
There has been a station on the main line Douro railroad at Quinta do Vesúvio since 1887 and the trains that pass through there are very much part of the property’s daily life. This railway forms part of Vesúvio’s rich heritage and when the Symington family decided to launch the third red wine from the legendary estate, it felt only natural to evoke the happy coexistence between railway and vineyard. ‘Comboio do Vesúvio’ (Vesúvio Train) is unoaked to underscore the wine’s youthful, fruit forward profile.
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ESTATES
QUINTA DA FONTE SOUTO This was our family’s first property outside the Douro region. This wine project is situated in the exciting Portalegre sub-region of the Alto Alentejo, in southern Portugal. The estate’s location on the slopes of the São Mamede mountains (the highest point in Portugal south of the Tagus river) provides an abundance of underground water which reduces the risk of hydric stress and enables
consistently complete and balanced maturations. The first vintage under our stewardship was 2017 and the debut couldn’t have been more auspicious. The hot and dry debut year showed the benefit of the vineyard’s altitude, which ranges from 490 to 550 metres. We released the first wines in 2019.
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AT A DIFFERENT PACE
Something special is born in the Alentejo In Portuguese, ‘Fonte’ means source of water or fountain, and ‘Souto’ is a chestnut grove. The combination of both in the estate’s name symbolises the abundance of water from its natural springs and its beautiful chestnut groves.
There are 207 hectares on the property, of which 43 are planted with vines. The principal grape varieties are Aragonês, Alfrocheiro, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Furthermore, the quinta has a large forested area amounting to 100 hectares, a third of which is covered with cork oaks, very much a feature of the Alentejo landscape.
Close to the São Mamede range (1,025 metres), the property benefits from the area’s altitude, with its cooler microclimate in sharp contrast to the Alentejo region’s typically hot and dry conditions. Yields are low due to the schist and granite soils, which are less fertile than those found in the flat and rolling terrain which characterises the majority of the Alentejo.
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TAIFA ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF TERROIR
Taking its name from the small principalities and kingdoms created in the iberian Peninsula during the Moorish period, Taifa is a white wine created with exceptional precision and quality, honouring the unique terroir that produced it. Made using only the very finest white grapes from Quinta da Fonte Souto, Taifa reveals incredible freshness and complexity, reflecting its proximity to the São Mamede mountain range. With Taifa, we pursue even more selective harvesting, favouring specific, mature vineyard plots and bringing picking forward to ensure higher acidity. A portion of the wine is vinified in new french oak barrels, enhancing structure and sense of volume.
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VINHA DO SOUTO A NEW PORTUGUESE STAR
Located at the heart of Quinta da Fonte Souto, the Vinha do Souto parcel (which names this wine) takes its name from the large chestnut groves at the estate. Covering 3.6 hectares, the grapes for this red wine are sourced from the best examples of Alicante Bouschet (2.4 ha) and Syrah (1.2 ha) within this area. This is the flagship wine of the estate: a fantastic showcase of its terroir. Made from Alicante Bouschet and Syrah – two hallmark grape varieties from the Alentejo region. Syrah adds fresher red fruit aromas and complexity, while Alicante Bouschet brings great acidity, tannins and colour intensity. Vinha do Souto is sourced from a parcel and terroir that have unique characteristics in both soil composition and water availability – resulting in an extremely lively and dynamic wine that is positively vibrating with energy. The Vinha do Souto wine showcases the unique credentials of the Portalegre sub-region with its fresher, more elegant profile – a reflection of the higher altitudes, favourable soil composition, milder temperatures, decent rainfall and abundant groundwater reserves.
On the palate, generous, dense and ripe, packed with fruit and powerful but still fresh. JANCIS ROBINSON – JH, VINHA DO SOUTO 2017
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QUINTA DA FONTE SOUTO RED AND WHITE
QUINTA DA FONTE SOUTO ROSÉ
TERROIR AT ITS FINEST
ELEVATED FRESHNESS
The two core Fonte Souto estate wines embody all the strengths of the property’s unique terroir: the freshness and balance afforded by the altitude; the concentration, which derives from mature, low-yielding vines, and the complexity and structure provided by the judicious combination of grape varieties.
Quinta da Fonte Souto Rosé emerged from a small experimental plot of Aragonez on the hillside vineyards of the estate. The winemaking approach was meticulous but minimalist, using low temperatures and very few interventions. The goal was to preserve its freshness and delicate aromas.
The backbone of the red is the signature Alicante Bouschet with important contributions from Trincadeira, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Alfrocheiro. The white is a sublime expression of the Arinto variety, widely regarded as Portugal’s finest grape, with a smaller contribution of Verdelho.
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ALFROCHEIRO AND ALICANTE BOUSCHET
FLORÃO WHITE AND RED
SINGULARITY AT ITS BEST
ALTITUDE AND EASE
Alfrocheiro is the first in a limited series of varietal wines from Quinta da Fonte Souto, highlighting unique expressions of the Portalegre estate. This grape variety expresses a perfect balance between the fresh aromatic profile provided by altitude and the variety’s inherent intensity and structure.
The Florão wines represent the most approachable Fonte Souto style, made with all the attention to detail and care of the other estate wines but with a more youthful profile intended for drinking young.
Fonte Souto’s Alicante Bouschet embodies all the strengths of the property’s unique terroir: the freshness and balance afforded by the altitude and the complexity and structure provided by mature, low-yielding vines. A fabulous, epicurean wine to pair with rich, savoury dishes.
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ESTATES
QUINTA DO ATAÍDE A singular Douro The region of Vale da Vilariça contrasts with the typical Douro landscape, with its softly undulating terrain. In 2006, our family bought Quinta do Ataíde due its potential for Douro DOC wine production. Today, we make fine Douro red wines under the quinta’s name, using its organically farmed grapes.
This 18th century manor house surrounded by vineyards bears witness to the rich heritage of this property. In the early 1980s, Ataíde was owned by Cockburn’s and was the focal point of their investment in this remote area of the Douro. In 2016, we bought the contiguous property of Quinta do Carrascal and incorporated it into Ataíde, which more than doubled its total land area, adding 31 hectares of vineyards to the existing 81 hectares. This made it the largest area of organically farmed grapes in Northern Portugal.
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ADEGA DO ATAÍDE In 2023, we opened our new low-impact winery, Adega do Ataíde, which is located at Quinta do Ataíde. The winery has been approved for the LEED certification process (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) which will make it the first LEED certified winery in Portugal and the first in the world to attain the LEED v4 level, which addresses energy efficiency, water conservation, site selection, material selection, day lighting and waste reduction.
causing as little disruption as possible. Careful landscaping around the building using indigenous vegetation will help to minimize its impact and to control the ambient temperature around the winery. The construction of this advanced winery is inspired by (and is part of) our long-term commitment to sustainability and innovation. As Portugal’s first certified B Corporation wine company, we are implementing a far-reaching sustainability strategy across our entire process from vineyard to bottle. The winery produces our red wines from Quinta do Ataíde and Quinta do Vesúvio and our premium Altano wines.
The design/layout of the winery, its location and the vegetal covering of the roof were designed in such a way as to integrate the building into the surrounding natural landscape, nestling amongst the organic vineyards. It makes maximum use of sloping reliefs to accommodate itself in the terrain — 43 —
WINEMAKING Quinta do Ataíde is home to the largest ampelographic field in Portugal, with an area of 2.25 hectares and 53 different grape varieties. Continuing the property’s tradition of pioneering viticulture, this research vineyard, the only one of its kind in northern Portugal, studies different grape varieties’ adaptability to specific conditions. The reality of climate change has made this grape variety library more relevant than ever.
Quinta do Ataíde is also home to a huge variety of wild species. No herbicides and tractor-trimmed wild grasses makes Ataíde is the perfect place for wildlife to thrive. Besides the traditional schist and granite, we find here three distinct types of topsoil: sandy loam, silt loam, and, in some places, clay loam – with its good propensity to retain water.
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THE REBIRTH OF TOURIGA NACIONAL The Vinha do Arco parcel has its origins in a plantation of 1800 Touriga Nacional vines located at Quinta do Ataíde, Vale da Vilariça. The role of this vineyard in the reintroduction of Touriga Nacional as one of the main and most propagated Portuguese grape varieties was fundamental to avoid its extinction.
Later on, when Touriga Nacional in the Douro was practically extinct, the success of these new Touriga Nacional vines from Vinha do Arco attracted the attention of many winegrowers and this Ataíde plantation became the main source of Touriga Nacional vines for a significant number of Douro plantations.
Ignoring the fact that Touriga Nacional was almost completely replaced by other, more productive, grape varieties during the eighties, a nursery vineyard was established at Ataíde to research and improve its quality and production levels - work first started by Cockburn’s legendary viticulturist and winemaker, John Henry Smithes in the 1930s.
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QUINTA DO ATAÍDE
QUINTA DO ATAÍDE VINHA DO ARCO
TRANSLATING PREMIUM ORGANIC TERROIR
BOLD AND POWERFUL
Produced at Quinta do Ataíde in the Vilariça Valley (Douro Superior) — an area in complete contrast to the steeply terraced slopes of the main Douro Valley. Rainfall is low at about 500 mm with very cold winters and hot summers. These factors create ideal conditions for organic viticulture and for the production of exceptional Douro wines; very aromatic, deep-coloured and concentrated, showing the unique identity of the Vilariça terroir.
Produced exclusively from Touriga Nacional vines planted in the early 1980s on the Vinha do Arco vineyard parcels at Quinta do Ataíde. These fourdecade old vines yield wines of great consistency and quality that combine concentration, structure and elegance. The entire Quinta do Ataíde vineyard is organically farmed. Deeply concentrated and finely layered on the palate, with an aromatically rich and complex bouquet, this exceptional Touriga Nacional wine demonstrates the unique potential of this grape variety and pays homage to a parcel that is regarded as the origin of its resurgence.
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ORIGINALS
PEQUENO DILEMA A stunning expression of the Douro Since we began our mission to produce great still wines in the Douro, we have been learning how white varieties perform in this unique and challenging terroir. Pequeno Dilema is our answer to whether the Douro can produce truly beautiful white wines. Fresh and elegant with great poise and character, Pequeno Dilema is sourced from two of the family’s most prized high-lying vineyards: Tapadinha and Chões. With Tapadinha located 580m above the Rio Torto Valley and Chões 520m above the Pinhão River Valley, the altitude allows for more moderate temperatures and smoother maturations, resulting in a wine with immense freshness, balance, and elegance. Can an area famous for producing incredible port wines also make exceptional white wines? Pequeno Dilema is our fresh, elegant, and emphatic answer to that question. — 47 47 — — —
ORIGINALS
ILUSTRES DESCONHECIDOS Singular wines, born from our natural curiosity Ilustres Desconhecidos is a collection of wines that unveil unique vineyards and plots within the Symington heritage, places that until now were known only to the family and the viticulture and oenology teams. They tell stories that have so far never been told and are a testament to the expertise and creativity of our winemakers. The first releases are produced from grapes harvested at Vinha da Tapadinha. Located high above the Rio Torto Valley near Quinta do Retiro, Tapadinha sits in one of the most famous sub-regions of the Douro. In 2015, we planted 11 white grape varieties – each with 700 vines – with the aim of studying their potential for producing high quality white wines in the Douro. The result: bright, bold and expressive wines. This collection will always be released in very limited quantities and, sometimes, unique editions that will not be repeated. Currently only available in Portugal due to the restrict quantities released. — 48 48 — — —
PARTNERSHIPS
PRATS + SYMINGTON Two great winemaking traditions In 1999, our family formed a partnership to make top Douro wines with the Prats family of Bordeaux. This alliance applies Bordeaux winemaking methods to grapes that are traditionally destined for the production of great Vintage Ports.
The first Prats & Symington wine was Chryseia 2000 which received widespread national and international acclaim. Since then, Chryseia and its second wine, Post Scriptum, have consistently appeared amongst the most highly rated Douro wines. Prats & Symington also make Prazo de Roriz, a red wine produced from younger vines and, in exceptional years, a Quinta de Roriz Vintage Port.
Prats & Symington wines are made at one of the Douro’s greatest estates, the beautiful Quinta de Roriz. This historic vineyard dates from 1565 and has long been famous for the quality of its wines. The 42-hectare Roriz vineyard is complemented by the 23-ha Quinta da Perdiz in the neighboring Rio Torto valley.
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CHRYSEIA WORLD-CLASS DOURO
The word Douro literally means ‘golden’ in Portuguese (“d’ouro”, de ouro). This was the inspiration for the wine’s name: Chryseia, the Greek word for golden. Chryseia was the first Portuguese non-fortified wine in the Wine Spectator’s annual Top 100 Wines and has now appeared four times in this influential list. In 2014, Chryseia 2011 was ranked at number three in the Top 100, the highest ever placing of a Douro wine. This is a world class Douro DOC red wine, which has been integral in establishing Douro DOC wine in the world’s most discerning fine wine markets.
A blend of the Douro’s two most highly prized red varieties, Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca, and aged for between 14 and 16 months in 400 litre, new French oak barrels, Chryseia is the ultimate translation of elegance and finesse with great ageing potential.
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POST SCRIPTUM
PRAZO DE RORIZ
A SEDUCTIVE BLEND
BOLD AND JUICY
Post Scriptum is a partner wine to Chryseia, drawn from the same vineyards. Its profile is similar, with expressive, fresh and concentrated fruit married to exquisite balance and elegance. Lighter oaked, it is ready to enjoy at a younger age.
The Prazo de Roriz is characterized particularly by red fruit flavours – raspberries and cherries – and the Quinta de Roriz terroir provides a distinctive minerality and appealing peppery spice. The Quinta da Perdiz vineyard also provides grapes for Prazo de Roriz. The wine is made for drinking young, but with the potential for developing in bottle for several years.
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PARTNERSHIPS
Casa de Rodas · Monção
Hambledon · Hampshire
We acquired an estate in the respected Monção and Melgaço sub-region of the Vinho Verde DOC in northern Portugal – Casa de Rodas – with legendary Vinho Verde producer Anselmo Mendes as winemaker. Following our debut harvest in 2023, we are working with Anselmo Mendes to produce a range of Alvarinho wines from the 27.5 hectare vineyard. We have created a partnership with the Mendes family to distribute the wines from the property. The new joint venture will also acquire the renowned Vinho Verde brand, Contacto, produced by Anselmo Mendes.
After producing wine in Portugal for over 140 years, we have now taken our first steps outside of the country. In 2023, we purchased one of the leading English sparkling wine producers, Hambledon, in an equal partnership with Berry Bros & Rudd – the UK’s oldest fine wine and spirits merchant. Hambledon is England’s oldest commercial vineyard, with vines first planted on the site in 1952. Today, Hambledon produces world-class wines from 200 acres of vineyard planted on the same grade of chalk as Grand Cru Côte des Blancs in Champagne.
NEW HORIZONS Combined expertise Bringing together different winemaking skills and traditions, our partnerships with prestigious winemakers aim to create exceptional wines from the regions where we work and beyond. Our family invested in Caves Transmontanas, which owns Vértice - one of Portugal’s most prestigious sparkling wine brands from the Douro. Vértice wines have a very unique profile and benefit from long periods of ageing (often over decades) before disgorgement, giving them a wonderfully elegant character.
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ESSENTIALS
ALTANO A natural expression of the Douro Altano is Symington’s first DOC Douro wine brand, born in the 1990’s. Altano is the local name for the warm summer winds that blow across the vineyards in Vale da Vilariça.
located in the Cima Corgo and Douro Superior subregions. Every year, Symington winemakers are challenged to produce wines that provide a unique expression of the family’s tapestry of vineyards, selecting the most suitable grapes for each wine depending on that year’s conditions and characteristics.
All Altano wines are made from a combination of several traditional Douro grape varieties sourced from our Douro Valley vineyards, principally those
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ALTANO RED AND WHITE
ALTANO ORGANIC RED AND ROSÉ
ALTANO RESERVA RED AND WHITE
ELEGANT AND REFRESHING
A NATURAL BALANCE
INTENSE AND COMPLEX
Altano red and white are typically Douro in character with rich, youthful fruit balanced by appealing freshness and spice. The grapes are sourced principally from the Cima Corgo subregion, and from higher altitude vineyards for the white.
Altano organic wines, red and rosé, are made from grapes sourced from the Symington family’s extensive organically-farmed Vilariça Valley vineyards. The red has full, brambly fruit and rounded spicy tannins, while the rosé shows crisp, delicate strawberry flavours and a flinty, mineral character.
Altano Reserve red and white wines are produced with traditional Douro grape varieties from Symington family-owned vineyards in the Cima Corgo and Douro Superior subregions. Both are aged in a combination of new and second year oak and will develop in bottle beyond five to six years. These wines show complexity, elegance, and a strong sense of Douro provenance.
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WILD AT HEART Altano Rewilding Edition is an exciting collaboration between Symington Family Estates and Rewilding Portugal, helping to support the environmental conservation of a 120,000 hectare wildlife corridor in the Greater Côa Valley. Every bottle sold of the Rewilding Edition contributes financial support to Rewilding Portugal’s projects in the north of Portugal.
red wine: Touriga Franca, for the fresh, floral aromatics; Tinta Roriz, for the bright, rich red fruit flavours and the Tinta Barroca, for structure, substance and vigour. We also launched the Altano Rewilding red wine in an innovative Bag in Tube (BIT) format. This is an eye-catching and bold concept, with vivid illustrations and a strong sustainability message throughout.
Altano Rewilding is made from grapes grown in Symington family properties, partially sourced from higher altitude vineyards to produce a wine with a fresh, elegant and fruit-driven profile. Three grape varieties define the
As well as the Rewilding Edition, we are long-term partners of Rewilding Portugal, providing funding for their core team.
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ESSENTIALS
BOM MALANDRO Welcome to the gang Bom Malandro is a wine brand created in reverse. Instead of the usual grape varieties, estates, or terroir, we started with the story of our unmistakable main character – true to our belief that a fresh wine deserves a fresh approach. Bom Malandro expresses how we feel about modern life: we’re constantly on the go and it can be exhausting. It can also be easy to forget that the best things often happen when we take some time to stand still and be in the moment. Being a bom malandro is to embrace the silliness in the everyday. To be spontaneous. To take some risks and to be truly in the moment. — 56 —
Wonderfully vibrant Bom Malandro and the gang know what they like, and that’s Douro DOC: expressive, fresh, and unmistakably Douro – just like them. Bom Malandro wines are traditional Douro blends made using indigenous grape varieties grown in vineyards located at a minimum of 400m altitude in the Cima Corgo region. This altitude gives the wines their distinctive freshness, balance, and fruit-forward profiles. Young, fresh, and typically Douro – just like them. Perfect for sharing. Perfect for plotting.
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We are a certified B Corporation – part of a global community of businesses audited for the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility. Read more about our sustainability strategy. www.symington.com/sustainability
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SYMINGTON FAMILY ESTATES Travessa Barão de Forrester 86, 4431-901 Vila Nova de Gaia · Portugal Tel: +351 223 776 300 — 60 —