Exploring the Rich Heritage of the Birthplace of Port with Warre’s.
The Douro Valley (pronounced “dough-roo”) is home to one of the most beautiful, terraced vineyard landscapes in the world. These unique vineyards follow the natural contours of the surrounding hills and mountains, carved out by the Douro River. Recognized for its astonishing beauty and historical significance, the birthplace of Port has rightfully earned its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
We had the privilege to explore this renowned wine region with Warre’s Port, the oldest British Port house and an esteemed part of the Symington Family Estates. Warre’s has a deep-rooted legacy in the Douro Valley and has been a vital contributor to the region’s Port winemaking tradition.
The Douro River: Paving the way for Centuries of Winemaking
Both The Douro River and the region’s mountain ranges shape the Douro Valley’s unique climate and landscape. Originating in Spain, the river flows through Portugal, dividing Porto from Vila Nova de Gaia before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. These natural features define the region and create a beautiful backdrop for its centuries-old winemaking tradition.
As we passed through the Marão mountain range, the valley opened up to reveal breathtaking terraced vineyards reaching up to 900 meters above sea level. Traditional narrow terraces, supported by stone walls (socalcos), highlight the region’s historical winemaking heritage and are UNESCO-preserved in select areas, especially on steep slopes. Alongside these, the modern, wider terraces (patamares) dominate the landscape, designed to accommodate mechanized work. This blend of tradition and efficiency reflects the Douro’s balance of historical techniques and modern innovation.
A Diversity of Terroirs
Recognized as the world’s first demarcated wine region in 1756, the Douro Valley is divided into three distinct sub-regions. While schist is the predominant soil type throughout the region, the significant variations in altitude and sun exposure create a variety of unique terroirs. These differences are most apparent in the following sub-regions, which showcase the Douro Valley’s diverse climate conditions:
- Baixo Corgo: the westernmost and mildest region, producing lighter, fruitier wines.
- Cima Corgo: the heart of Douro winemaking, known for drier climates and rugged terrain, providing concentrated yet elegant wines. Much of Warre’s production occurs in this region.
- Douro Superior: this hot, dry sub-region near the Spanish border produces powerful, full-bodied wines, with increasing focus on robust table wines.
Warre’s: 350 Years of Expertise
Founded in 1670, Warre’s holds the distinction of being the oldest British Port house in Portugal and has played an integral role in shaping the world of Port wine. Known for producing elegant and structured wines, Warre’s has remained a trusted name for over 350 years. Their Ports are celebrated for both their refined aromas and long aging potential.
Symington: a Family History Preserved Today
When speaking of Warre’s, you are inherently referring to Symington Family Estates. The Symington family’s 5th generation is currently at the helm of Warre’s Port, continuing a relationship that began in the early 20th century. With a lineage that can be traced back 13 generations, to one of the earliest families involved in the Port trade in 1652, the Symingtons have been responsible for shaping Warre’s identity and success for over a century.
Today, the family owns around 1,200 hectares of vineyards in the Douro Valley, where they produce some of the most renowned Ports, including Warre’s, Graham’s, Dow’s, and Cockburn’s, as well as highly regarded Douro DOC wines like Altano, Chryseia, and Quinta do Ataíde.
A Commitment to Future Generations
The Symington family’s deep involvement with Warre’s is reflected in the six family members who oversee every aspect of production -from grape cultivation to blending and aging. Their private ownership of vineyards and hands-on management set them apart from other Port producers, ensuring that Warre’s maintains its high quality and traditional roots while continuing to innovate.
What truly defines the Symington family’s philosophy, however, is their commitment to future generations. Dedicated to reducing their environmental impact and safeguarding the region’s biodiversity, their stewardship of the Douro Valley underscores a long-term vision: to leave the region stronger and more sustainable for those who follow.
Quintas: A Heritage of Douro Winemaking
Quintas have been at the heart of Port wine production in the Douro Valley for centuries. These estates not only serve as the sites of grape cultivation and winemaking but also as family homes passed down through generations. Warre’s continues this tradition by sourcing grapes from three of its historic quintas:
- Quinta da Cavadinha
Located in the Pinhão Valley, at the center of Cima Corgo, this quinta is known for its high-altitude vineyards and cooler temperatures. These conditions are ideal for producing balanced and elegant wines, making Cavadinha the perfect cornerstone for Warre’s Vintage Ports.
- Quinta do Retiro Antigo
Situated in the Rio Torto Valley, also in Cima Corgo, this estate benefits from warmer conditions and adds intensity and richness to Warre’s wines, particularly in drier years.
- Quinta da Telhada
Located in Douro Superior, which is the hottest and driest sub-region, Telhada produces powerful, full-bodied wines that add bold character to Warre’s portfolio.
From the Perfect Grape to the Perfect Port: The Authentic Way
It is common practice in Portugal to use local grape varieties, and Warre’s is no exception. The traditional Douro grapes, such as touriga nacional, touriga franca, and tinta roriz, are the cornerstone of their blends. These varieties are perfectly suited to the region’s local conditions, producing rich and concentrated wines that form the foundation of their Ports.
When the grapes reach perfect ripeness, a team of men from across the region gathers to pick the fruit by hand. Meanwhile, their wives ensure that no one goes without traditional, hearty dishes, contributing to the communal atmosphere of harvest time. This process not only provides significant employment in the region but also brings a great authenticity to the harvest experience.
Innovation in Winemaking
The fermentation process is carried out on-site using modern automated lagares, a groundbreaking system co-invented by Charles Symington. These lagares mimic the traditional foot-treading method, which once required a team of people working in unison for hours to tread the grapes in large stone tanks.
The automated lagares bring precision and efficiency to this process, ensuring maximum extraction of colors and flavors within a short, 36- to 48-hour window. After fermentation, the wine is fortified with aguardente (grape spirit), halting fermentation and giving Port its bold, sweet character by preserving natural sugars while also increasing the wine’s alcohol content.
Once fortified, the wine is transported to Warre’s lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia, where the cooler, stable climate is ideal for long-term aging. In the lodge’s spiced (seasoned) oak barrels, some of which are over a century old, the Ports gradually develop their complex flavors and smooth texture.
Warre’s Signature Ports: A Range of Classic Styles
Warre’s offers a selection of classic Ports that showcase the depth and versatility of the region. Their lineup includes the vibrant Ruby Port, known for its youthful fruitiness; the nutty Tawny Port, aged to develop complex flavors; the refined Ruby Reserve, which offers enhanced richness and spiciness; and the Late Bottled Vintage (LBV): a more structured and slightly drier Port crafted from a single vintage year and ready to enjoy upon release.
The Warre’s Otima Range: Modernizing a Classic
The Otima range is introduced to bring a modern twist to the traditionally aged Tawny Port. It is designed to appeal to a broader audience and demonstrate its versatility as an all-year-round, anytime drink. This approach challenges the myth that Port is only to be enjoyed on special occasions, such as Christmas or served at the end of dinner alongside a cheese platter. By presenting Port in a more contemporary package, along with lighter, more elegant flavors and a sleek bottle design, it subtly breaks away from tradition.
- Otima 10-Year-Old Tawny Port
With hints of dried fruit and caramel, it offers a light, approachable style that balances elegance and freshness.
- Otima 20-Year-Old Tawny Port
This Port steps up in complexity, showcasing deeper flavors of nuts and spice, with a smooth, lingering finish that adds sophistication to any setting.
- Otima ’13 Colheita
A single-vintage Tawny that reflects the distinctive character of the 2013 harvest and is aged for 10 years before bottling, which is three years beyond the required seven. It offers notes of toffee, dried figs, and a touch of citrus. Rich yet fresh, it pairs beautifully with desserts like tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream.
Their bottles feature a thick glass base designed to retain the chill longer, making these Ports ideal for enjoying slightly chilled and as versatile drink for various occasions.
Warre’s Vintage Ports: The Pinnacle of Elegance
Vintage wines are made only in exceptional years when conditions across the Douro region are consistently favorable throughout the growing season and harvest. Vintage Ports represent the highest standard of Douro winemaking, so only in the most outstanding years is a vintage declared.
- Warre’s 2000 Vintage Port
The 2000 vintage for Warre’s reflects both the elegance and finesse for which the house is known, yet with a depth and richness typical of this exceptional year. It reveals concentrated dark fruits like blackberry and plum, layered with cedar, tobacco, and a hint of eucalyptus, a classic hallmark of Warre’s style.
- Warre’s 1994 Vintage Port
Referred to as “the Queen” of vintages, the 1994 embodies Warre’s house style with harmony and grace. Its layers of rich fruit and refined complexity are balanced with hints of eucalyptus and an elegant, deep profile. Even after decades, this vintage remains fresh and vibrant, widely celebrated as one of the greatest Port vintages of recent memory.
- Warre’s Quinta da Cavadinha Vintage Port 2010
In years when the best conditions are concentrated within specific estates, Warre’s crafts a single estate Vintage Port. The 2010 Quinta da Cavadinha Vintage captures the essence of this unique terroir with vibrant dark berry notes and herbal undertones. On the palate, it’s rounded and structured, with a balanced playfulness between fruit and acidity, offering a powerful and nuanced expression of Cavadinha’s terroir.
With their vibrant flavors, refined elegance, and incredible ability to age gracefully for decades, Warre’s Vintage Ports embody the spirit and longevity of the Douro winemaking tradition.
From Fortified to Fine: Exploring the New Douro and Beyond
Symington Family Estates has expanded its influence beyond Port, producing a diverse range of Douro DOC wines that showcase the region’s potential. Among their notable labels are the distinguished Quinta do Ataíde and Quinta do Vesuvio wines, as well as the approachable Altano.
Their partnerships further highlight Symington’s commitment to quality and innovation. In collaboration with Bruno Prats, they produce Chryseia, a Douro DOC wine that has become a benchmark for the region’s fine wines. They also partner with Vértice to craft traditional method sparkling wines in the Douro, work with acclaimed winemaker Anselmo Mendes in Vinho Verde, and produce wines at Quinta da Fonte Souto in Alentejo.
Unique within the Douro, Symington is also exploring monovarietal wines, showcasing the distinct expressions of native grapes alongside traditional blends. This combination of tradition, innovation, and regional expertise underscores Symington’s dedication to elevating Portuguese wine across a variety of styles.
Honoring Tradition, Embracing Innovation
Warre’s Port and the Symington Family Estates represent both the heritage and future of the Douro Valley. From their precisely crafted Ports to their ventures into Douro DOC and beyond, they reflect a commitment to quality that honors tradition while embracing modern innovation. Each glass of Warre’s tells a story of craftsmanship and an enduring dedication to sustainability, which ensures us that the Douro’s rich winemaking legacy will continue to flourish for generations to come, while simultaneously making sure the Douro Valley remains an extremely promising and exciting wine region!
This article is written by our own Laura Heijs. We would like to thank Alice Bown Agency, Warre’s Port, in particular Rosalie Lammers, and Symington Family Estates. Pictures credits: Alice Bown Agency.
