Henry Bennett

Join the Symington family UK brand ambassador Henry Bennett for an immersion into the family’s fabulous ports of the Douro Valley with a guided tasting. This masterclass includes the opportunity to taste one port cocktail, two tawnies and three rubies including a vintage port older than him.

Savour the fantastic flavours of different port styles and houses from fresh, mouthwatering cocktails to rich, black-fruited rubies and nutty, caramelised tawnies. Bennett will guide you through the unique stories and history behind the remarkable Douro Valley and talk about the challenges and hopes for the future.

Symington Family Estates is the leading producer of premium quality ports and one of the top Portuguese wine producers. The company has invested significantly to adapt to climate change through an ambitious sustainability plan. This includes sustainably managing the company’s 28 quintas (vineyards) covering 2,462 hectares under minimum intervention certifications, including 130 hectares organically farmed, the largest area of organic vineyard in northern Portugal. The company won Green Wine Company of the Year award at the Drinks Business Green Awards 2024.

Of Scottish, English and Portuguese descent, the Symingtons have been producing wine 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, nine Symingtons work across the four main port houses: Graham’s, Cockburn’s, Dow’s and Warre’s. The family’s portfolio also includes their Douro wine brands Quinta do Vesúvio, Quinta do Ataíde, Altano and Prats & Symington (of Chryseia fame). They also produce wine at Quinta da Fonte Souto in the Alto Alentejo, Casa de Rodas in Monção & Melgaço of the Vinho Verde DOC, and own 50% of one of the leading English sparkling wine producers, Hambledon Vineyard.

Ports will be available for purchase after the tasting.