The release commemorates Graham’s Anglo-Portuguese heritage and the 75th anniversary of the first commercial flights connecting London and Lisbon
September 29, 2026 (San Francisco, CA) — Symington Family Estates, producers of some of the finest Ports in the world for five generations and owners of the renowned Port brand W & J Graham’s, is pleased to introduce announced a new addition to Graham’s ‘First Flight’ series, exclusive to Global Travel Retail. Following the original 2003 release, Graham’s ‘First Flight’ 2015 Single Harvest Tawny Port (SRP $50) marks 75 years since the first commercial flights connected London and Lisbon – a landmark moment in aviation between two countries whose friendship dates back to the signing of the Anglo-Portuguese Treaty in 1373. In June 1940, the first commercial flights between London and Lisbon took off aboard the distinctive DH.91 Albatross, opening a new chapter in travel between the two countries. Now, more than 80 years later, the route continues to connect millions of travellers each year.
Coming 75 years after those first pioneering flights, the remarkable 2015 harvest proved particularly well suited to producing Aged Tawny Ports, which have since aged in oak at the historic Graham’s 1890 Lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia. The 2015 Single Harvest Tawny Port offers a distinctive expression of a single year in the Douro Valley, combining freshness with the richness, complexity and elegance afforded by careful ageing. This release also holds particular significance for the Symington family who share this Anglo-Portuguese heritage, and who have shaped Graham’s ports over several generations. In 1882, Andrew James Symington travelled to Portugal to begin work in the wine trade before marrying Beatriz Leitão Carvalhosa Atkinson in the late 19th century. Now in its fifth generation, the family continues to nurture close ties between the two nations.
Gonçalo Brito, Global Travel Retail Manager at Symington Family Estates, commented, “The 2015 ‘First Flight’ Single Harvest Tawny Port offers travellers a distinctive expression of Graham’s, shaped by heritage, craftsmanship and provenance. Global Travel Retail gives us a unique opportunity to share that story with consumers from around the world, while continuing to build Graham’s presence in this important channel.”
Graham’s ‘First Flight’ 2015 Single Harvest Tawny Port is scheduled to be available in Travel Retail and duty free in December 2026.
ABOUT GRAHAM’S PORT
|W & J Graham’s was founded in Porto in 1820. Renowned worldwide for producing outstanding Vintage Ports, Graham’s also produces a range of Aged Tawny Ports, Late Bottled Vintage, Reserve and Quinta dos Malvedos Vintage Ports. Graham’s growing success in the 19th Century resulted in the acquisition of the famous Quinta dos Malvedos in the Alto Douro and in the construction of the imposing Graham’s 1890 Lodge. Overlooking the city of Porto, the Graham’s Lodge houses over 3,500 seasoned oak casks, numerous large oak vats, an extensive Vintage Port cellar and Vinum – one of Porto’s leading restaurants. Graham’s is owned by Symington Family Estates.
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ABOUT SYMINGTON FAMILY ESTATES
The Symingtons of Scottish, English and Portuguese descent have been Port producers in northern Portugal since 1882. For 5 generations they have combined their passion for producing fine wines and Ports with a deep commitment to the region’s land and people. Today, nine Symingtons work across their four Port houses: Graham’s, Cockburn’s, Dow’s and Warre’s, as well as their Douro wine brands – Quinta do Vesuvio, Quinta do Ataíde, Altano and Prats & Symington (of Chryseia fame). In 2017 they launched a new venture, Quinta da Fonte Souto, in the Alto Alentejo. Symington Family Estates is a leading premium Port producer and the leading owner of prime vineyards in the Douro valley, with 26 Quintas covering 2,462 hectares and 1,114 ha of vineyard. The family business is a founding member of Primum Familiae Vini – an association of 12 European wine families – and in 2020 was voted in 7th place in The World’s Most Admired Wine Brands list by a panel of over 200 international wine experts organised by Drinks International. All Symington vineyards are sustainably managed under a minimum intervention certification and 130 ha are organically farmed – the largest area of organic vineyard in northern Portugal. The family have invested significantly in viticulture R&D to adapt to climate change and have an ambitious sustainability plan. In 2019 the company became a certified B Corporation – the first wine company in Portugal to take this step – joining a global community of businesses audited for the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility. Symington was named Ethical Company of the Year in The Drinks Business 2019 Green Awards.
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