SAN FRANCISCO, April 3, 2017 – Symington Family Estates is pleased to announce the declaration of Cockburn’s 2015 Bicentenary Vintage Port (SRP $80/750ml), celebrating 200 years since the founding of the company.
Founded in 1815, Cockburn’s is one of the most popular Port brands in the world with a rich history and deep ties to Portugal. After nearly half a century of international ownership the brand joined Symington Family Estates in 2010, returning home to a family-owned company based in Portugal, bringing its ownership full circle.
The Symington Family was one of the first Port families to plant and invest in the Douro Valley and today they have the largest vineyard ownership in the region. The family’s long history in the Douro and dedication to maintaining the reputation of Port around the globe has resulted in Cockburn’s increased success with Port lovers.
Cockburn’s has long been amongst the great producers of Vintage Port, and the Symingtons demonstrate the brand’s renewed commitment to excellence. Since acquiring the brand they have held two retrospective tastings with international experts, one in Porto in September 2012 that tasted back to Cockburn’s 1896, and another in London in 2015 that reviewed most Vintages back to 1863. These tastings were fundamental to understanding the house style for which Cockburn’s is valued. Coupled with these tastings, the Symington family has made significant improvements to the Cockburn’s vineyards at Quinta dos Canais and Quinta do Vale Coelho, both located in the Douro Superior.
The viticultural year in 2015 was dry with more than 30% less rain than average, and July and August were relatively cool. Rain fell mid-September and the best grapes at Quinta dos Canais and Quinta do Vale Coelho were harvested shortly after. Yields are never high in the Douro and they were even less in 2015. The Cockburn’s 2015 Vintage Port was made in lagares at the small Senhora da Ribeira winery, located very close to both the Canais and Vale Coelho vineyards.
About Symington Family Estates: The Symingtons have been Port producers for five generations since 1882 although their involvement in Port dates back fourteen generations to 1652 through their great-grandmother Beatriz Leitão de Carvalhosa Atkinson. The family company is the leading quality Port producer with brands such as Graham’s, Cockburn’s, Dow’s and Warre’s as well as being the leading vineyard owner in the Douro Valley with 1032 hectares (2550 acres) of vines and 28 Quintas. Many of the region’s finest Quintas belong to the family. For more information on Symington Family Estates, visit www.symington.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 joined Symington Family Estates in 2010, returning home to a family-owned company based in Portugal, bringing its ownership full circle. For more information on Cockburn’s Port, visit www.cockburns.com.
