Henry Bennett

Join the Symington family UK brand ambassador Henry Bennett for an expansive tasting from English sparkling through to Portuguese wines from Vinho Verde, Alentejo and, of course, the family’s home in the Douro Valley. This masterclass includes the opportunity to taste two English sparkling wines and two Portuguese white and red wines.

Experience the fresh, chalky minerality of Hambledon Wine Estate’s Chardonnay-dominated cuvées and learn how ‘England’s first commercial vineyard’ islooking to the future. Discover the gamut of grapes and regions in Portugal, from a textural, perfumed Alvarinho produced in the super Vinho Verde sub-region of Monçao e Melgaço to the ‘burgundian-style’ Arinto-led whites being produced from Symington’s high-altitude estate in the Alto Alentejo. Lastly, finish with the unique opportunity to taste the first and second wines from the Symington’s iconic Quinta do Vesúvio in the Douro Valley.

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.

Wines will be available for purchase after the tasting.