The Wine:

The Six Grapes ‘Special Vila Velha Edition’ is a limited bottling, drawn exclusively from the finest grapes grown at Quinta da Vila Velha – one of the four Douro estates that supplies Graham’s Port. The property was purchased by the late third-generation Port producer, James Symington, in 1987. For over three decades, James restored and extended the quinta into a well-tended 145-hectare riverside property with 55 hectares under vine. With its privileged position on the south bank of the Douro River, Vila Velha produces well-structured and balanced wines that form key components of Graham’s Vintage Ports.

Rupert Symington, CEO of Symington Family Estates and James’ son, commented: “We have bottled this limited edition wine to celebrate both my father and the estate that he restored over 30 years and has since passed into my care. With floral fragrances of pine resin and eucalyptus, together with an opulent palate of concentrated black fruits, the wine is a wonderful expression of Quinta da Vila Velha and a fitting tribute to my father’s work.”

The Symington family has produced this Special Edition Reserve Ruby Port to mark James’ passing in 2020 and to honour his role in developing Graham’s iconic Six Grapes label.

Further Info:

Established in 1820 in Oporto, W & J Graham is one of the most famous names in the Port trade and has long been synonymous with the greatest Vintage Ports.

The Symington family acquired the company from the Graham family in 1970, so today Graham’s remains a wholly family-owned firm. At the heart of Graham’s Port is the famous Quinta dos Malvedos in the upper reaches of the Douro Valley. The old winery was completely renovated in 2000 and is now equipped with three revolutionary robotic lagares that ‘tread’ the grapes. Alongside these are the ancient granite lagares where some of the harvest is still trodden by human foot. The neighbouring Quinta do Tua and Quinta das Lages in the Rio Torto valley are key vineyards for Graham’s, as are the privately family-owned Quintas of Vila Velha and Vale de Malhadas.