SAN FRANCISCO, January 16, 2015 – Cockburn’s Port, one of the world’s premier Port producers, is celebrating 200 years since its founding in 1815 by Robert and John Cockburn.
Known for introducing the world to reserve-style Port as well as it’s cheeky innuendo-laden advertising campaigns, Cockburn’s Port is now owned by the Symington family, producers of some of the finest Port wines and the largest landowners in the Douro Valley.
“The award-winning Cockburn’s Ports wouldn’t be where they are today with out the passion, expertise and innovations of our whole family, past and present,” says Rupert Symington, Joint Managing Director of the Symington Family Estates. “From the Cockburns, the Smithes, the Teages and the Cobbs families, to the growers, pickers, coopers and tasters of today, we are honored to continue upholding their outstanding legacy, one that goes into every bottle of Cockburn’s Port.”
In 1969, Cockburn’s created the reserve Port category by introducing Cockburn’s Special Reserve Port, bridging the gap between Ruby Port and the more exclusive Vintage Port. Cockburn’s created its signature style by blending the best quality fruit from top vineyards in the Douro Superior, maturing it for up to five years in oak casks and bottling the wine ready to drink.
To promote the Special Reserve Port, Cockburn’s commisioned an iconic advertising campaign that played on the brand’s pronunciation (CO-burns, not COCK-burns). That same spirit continues today, reflected not only in recent “Pronounce Responsibly” advertising but also in the approachability of its Ports.
In the United States, Cockburn’s Port is imported by Premium Port Wines, Inc. and is available in restaurants and retailers nationwide. For more information, photos or to sample Cockburn’s Special Reserve Port (SRP $19), please contact Stephen Schmitz at stephen@calhounwine.com.
About Cockburn’s Port – Founded in 1815, Cockburn’s is one of the world’s most popular Port producers, with a rich history and deep roots in Portugal. After nearly half a century of international ownership, the brand was acquired by the Symington Family Estates in 2010, returning to a family owned Portuguese company. For more information on Cockburn’s Port, visit www.cockburns.com.
About Symington Family Estates – Since 1882, five generations of the Symington family have been producing Port,with their involvement in Port dating back fourteen generations to 1652 through their great-grandmother Beatrice Leitão de Carvalhosa Atkinson. The family company is the leading quality Port producer in the world with brands such as Graham’s, Dow’s, Cockburn’s, Warre’s, Vesuvio and Smith Woodhouse and is the leading vineyard owner in the Douro Valley. For more information on Symington Family Estates, visit www.symington.com.
