Leading Port house celebrates 200 years with collector’s item, Exceptionally rare release – only 30 editions will be produced, Cabinet containing 12 historic Ports (two never previously released) Includes legendary Vintage Ports from 1963, 1994 and 2011
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., OCTOBER 18, 2022 – In celebration of its bicentennial year, leading Port house and Royal Warrant holder, Graham’s, has launched a collection of world-renowned Ports in a specially designed piece of furniture. The project was due to be announced in 2020 but was postponed as a result of the pandemic. Each wine has been carefully selected by members of the 3rd, 4th and 5th generation of the Symington family – Port producers since 1882 and owners of Graham’s since 1970.
The Bicentenary Collection is comprised of six Single Harvest Tawny Ports and six classic Vintage Ports, including wines from 1963, 1994 and 2011, which have been hailed as some of the greatest declarations of the last two centuries. All the Vintage Ports have been aged in impeccable conditions in Graham’s cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia and the Single Harvest Tawny Ports have been selected and bottled specifically for the Bicentenary Collection, including two from 2000 and 2006 that have never been released before. The 1982 Single Harvest Tawny was first bottled to mark the birth of HRH Prince George of Cambridge. The 2000 Single Harvest Tawny was the first Port made with the Symington family’s revolutionary modern treading lagares – a huge innovation for the Port trade.
The collection is presented in a cabinet made from extremely rare santos rosewood by Portuguese master-joiners WeWood. The collection is completed by a hand-blown decanter and set of wine glasses produced by Jancis Robinson MW in partnership with celebrated British product designer Richard Brendon, an expert two-part Durand corkscrew designed for removing corks from mature and valuable fine wines, and a specially commissioned decanting funnel from family-run, Porto-based silversmiths Ourivesaria Coutinho.
The first edition of the Bicentenary Collection will be auctioned by Christie’s of London in December together with a VIP trip to Porto and the Douro. All proceeds will be divided between two charities – selected to reflect the Symington family’s origins – the Scottish Wildlife Trust and Santa Casa de Misericordia de Carrazeda. The remaining editions will be made-to-order. Customers can express interest in acquiring a Bicentenary Collection as of Tuesday, October 18th. The first commissions will be delivered from January 2023.
“The release of the Bicentenary Collection has huge significance for us as a family business, marking not only the illustrious history of Graham’s and the unparalleled excellence of the wines, but our commitment to continuing to build on these foundations for many years to come. Each wine in the cabinet bears personal significance to a member of the third, fourth or fifth generation of our family, representing as they do the past, present, and future of our business.”
Johnny Symington – Chairman of Symington Family Estates
The santos rosewood used to make the cabinet is FSC certified (Forestry Stewardship Council), which is a guarantee that the wood comes from sustainably managed forests.
ABOUT THE WINES
The Single Harvest Tawny Ports
Graham’s 1961 Single Harvest Tawny Port
Harvested in a year which saw “very considerable damage [incurred by] disastrous thunderstorm and hail” on July 2nd, which significantly reduced the crop size, but ultimately led to wines of excellent color, flavor and aroma.
Selected by Dominic Symington
“This wine brings back many memories and the excitement of driving from Porto to the Douro to join my father in the vineyards. I have recently become a grandfather for the first time and I can’t wait until my granddaughter is old enough for me to take her treading.”
Graham’s 1976 Single Harvest Tawny Port
Several Port companies were closed or sold in the 1970s due to challenging market conditions and uncertainty caused by the 1974 Portuguese Revolution, but the fortitude of the third generation of the Symington family kept Graham’s thriving, producing this remarkable wine in difficult weather conditions.
Selected by siblings Harry and Charlotte Symington
“This wine is an important reminder that each generation of our family has faced challenges, their hard work and dedication has inspired us to continue to pass on a stronger and more resilient company to the next generation.”
Graham’s 1982 Single Harvest Tawny Port
First bottled to mark the birth of HRH Prince George of Cambridge, this wine is testament to the historic alliance between England and Portugal.
Selected by Vicky Symington
“This very special wine reminds me of my British and Portuguese heritage, both of which I’m incredibly proud of. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.”
Graham’s 1995 Single Harvest Tawny Port
Favorable weather conditions created this complex yet balanced wine, harvested as members of the fifth generation of Symingtons were cutting their teeth in the Douro.
Selected by Anthony Symington
“This wine brings back fond memories of exploring the Douro as a young boy, which ignited my passion for the region, Port and our family business.”
Graham’s 2000 Single Harvest Tawny Port
The year 2000 marked the inaugural year of the mechanical lagares introduced at Quinta dos Malvedos, which revolutionized the port industry.
Selected by Hugh Symington
“This wine will always remind me of the excitement I felt seeing the first modern treading lagar and finding out I now had a sister!”
Graham’s 2006 Single Harvest Tawny Port
This year saw the hottest May in 40 years and a very warm June complete with a strong hailstorm, but despite the challenging conditions, the region produced generous and sumptuous Ports, while members of the Symington’s fifth generation explored the world beyond Portugal, prior to joining the family business.
Selected by Rob Symington
“I’m looking forward to sharing a bottle of the Graham’s 2006 Single Harvest Tawny one day with my Africa traveling companions and reminiscing about our great adventure!”
The Vintage Ports
Graham’s 1963 Vintage Port
A landmark wine symbolizing the renaissance of Vintage Port and the turnaround of the Port trade after the Second World War, hailed as one of the great declarations of the last century.
Selected by Peter Symington
“Every time I have a glass of 1963 Vintage Port it reminds me why this wine is still rated as one of the greatest vintages Graham ever produced and will certainly be an excellent wine for many years to come.”
Graham’s 1970 Vintage Port
The first vintage was declared following the Symington family’s acquisition of Graham’s, establishing an incredibly high standard for future generations to emulate.
Selected by James Symington
“Every time I pick up a glass of the 1970 I toast the two families involved in the history of Graham’s.”
Graham’s 1985 Vintage Port
This was the first harvest undertaken by current Chairman of Symington Family Estates, Johnny Symington, as a working family member. The year saw abundant rainfall after four consecutive dry years, leading to a wine of outstanding quality.
Selected by Johnny Symington
“This wine reminds me of the importance of passing down knowledge and expertise from generation to generation. This is particularly poignant now as my daughter, Vicky, has recently joined the business which has brought back so many memories of my own experience in my early days in the business.”
Graham’s 1994 Vintage Port
Arguably one of the best vintages of the 20th century, the vines developed under near perfect conditions and produced a wine of Graham’s signature elegance, balance, and complexity.
Selected by Rupert Symington
“Quite simply a classic. I look forward to picking up a glass again and celebrating some of life’s greatest moments with my son, Hugh.”
Graham’s 1997 Vintage Port
One of three Vintage Ports declared in the 1990s, in the year that marked James Symington’s retirement as Chairman.
Selected by Paul Symington
“This Vintage Port reminds me of the uniqueness of our family company: this year marks the handover from the 3rd to the 4th generation and the quality of this great Port comes from the knowledge that has been handed down to us over generations.”
Graham’s 2011 Vintage Port
An exceptional harvest with substantially lower yields than previous years. Just 8,000 cases were bottled by Charles Symington in his first year as Head Winemaker. The wine was hailed a triumph, ranking amongst the all-time greats.
Selected by Charles Symington
“Every Vintage is different and not many will ever be as great as this one. What a year to put all the knowledge and experience handed down through generations to the test!”
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. Granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment from Her Majesty The Queen in 2017, 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 five generations they have combined their passion for producing fine wines and Ports with a deep commitment to the region’s land and people. Today, ten 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 vineyard owners in the Douro valley, with 26 Quintas covering 2,462 hectares and 1,114 ha of vineyard. All their 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 has invested significantly in viticulture R&D to adapt to climate change and have an ambitious sustainability plan, with a series of goals under the banner of Mission 2025. 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, committed to using business as a force for good.
