Producer Spotlight - Symington's Family Estate

Symington Family Estates: Pioneers of Douro Still Wines

If you’ve ever enjoyed a glass of Port, chances are the Symington family had a hand in it. They’re a big deal in the Douro Valley, owning some of the most celebrated Port houses: Graham’s, Dow’s, Warre’s, and Cockburn’s. With names like those, you’d be forgiven for thinking they were straight out of a Dickens novel, but their Britishness is a legacy of the centuries-old trade between Portugal and Britain. Port was practically a staple in the British wine cupboard back in the day, and the Symingtons have been at the heart of it all for generations.

This month, though, we’re leaving the fortified stuff on the shelf and turning the spotlight on their still wines. The Symingtons are more than just Port titans; they’ve been quietly making a name for themselves in Douro table wines too. In the 1990s, they were among the first to realise the potential of the Douro’s vineyards beyond Port, crafting expressive and approachable wines that celebrate the region’s unique character. Enter the Altano range: wines that show off the Douro’s bold flavours in an accessible and easy-drinking way.

Then there’s Prats & Symington, their collaboration with Bordeaux winemaking maestro Bruno Prats. Established in 1999, this partnership marries French finesse with the Douro’s rugged charm. The result? A range of wines that are as polished as they are powerful. Their flagship, Chryseia, even earned a spot in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 - no small feat for a non-fortified Portuguese wine. Proof, if any were needed, that the Douro is capable of the full range from entry-level to top-end.

Whether you’re after something for the dinner table or a treat for the festive season, Symington’s Altano and Prats & Symington ranges are well worth exploring. And don’t ignore the 10% off of them this month, there’s really no excuse to miss out. A bottle or two won’t go amiss, especially when it comes to pairing with all those hearty winter dishes. Go on, give the Douro a go - it’s what the Symingtons would want.