Founded in 1798 over two centuries ago, Dow’s was the first British Port producer to invest extensively in premium vineyards, acquiring Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira in 1890 and Quinta do Bomfim in 1896. These superb vineyards are fundamental to the outstanding reputation that Dow’s has long enjoyed. In 1912, Andrew James Symington became a partner in Dow’s, and today six members of the family own and work in the company; Peter, Paul, Johnny, Dominic, Rupert and Charles. The family personally manages all aspects of winemaking from vineyard to the final bottling of the wine.
The Symingtons can trace their ancestors as Port producers back four generations to Andrew James Symington who came to Oporto in 1882, but back thirteen generations through their great grandmother, Beatrice Atkinson, to Walter Maynard who shipped 39 pipes of Port in 1652. A unique record in the history of Port. “Rating Portugal’s producers of Port…Dow Five Star ***** (Outstanding)” Robert Parker, Parker’s Wine Buying Guide, Sixth Edition 2003
