The Symington Family, synonymous with the Douro Valley, has shaped the region's wine landscape for over two centuries. Their legacy began in 1882 when Frank Symington, a Scottish entrepreneur, established a wine business in the Douro. The family's passion for quality and innovation has since created some of Portugal's most iconic wines, including world-renowned Port.
The Symingtons own and manage several prestigious quintas in the Douro Valley, each with unique terroir and character. Quinta do Ataíde, one of their most celebrated estates, is renowned for producing exceptional Douro wines. The estate's vineyards, situated on steep, terraced slopes, benefit from the region's unique microclimate and schist-based soils, which impart distinctive mineral notes to the wines.
Sustainable viticulture is a cornerstone of the Symington Family's approach to winemaking. The family has implemented various environmentally friendly practices, including organic farming, water conservation, and biodiversity preservation. By minimizing chemical pesticides and herbicides, the Symingtons ensure that their wines are produced in harmony with nature.
The winemaking philosophy at Symington focuses on a minimalist approach, allowing the grapes to express their natural character. Grapes are hand-harvested at optimal ripeness and fermented using foot-treading in traditional lagares, large granite vats. This ancient method of fermentation extracts color, tannins, and flavor compounds from the skins, resulting in wines with intense character.
After fermentation, the wines are aged in a combination of stainless steel tanks and oak barrels. The aging process imparts structure, complexity, and elegance to the wines while preserving their fruitiness and freshness. The final blends are carefully crafted by experienced winemakers, who select the best barrels to create wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Douro Valley.
The Symington Family's commitment to quality, sustainability, and tradition has earned them a reputation as one of the leading producers of Port and Douro wines. Their wines are renowned for their elegance, complexity, and ability to age gracefully. As the family continues to innovate and evolve, they remain dedicated to preserving the heritage of the Douro Valley and producing wines that delight wine lovers worldwide.
