CR&F marks 130 years with the launch of the XO Cask Strength brandy
17/01/2026In the year it celebrates 130 years of history, CR&F launches the XO Cask Strength, a rare and limited brandy, from a single cask from the Vinho Verde region and bottled in its purest form, without any alteration.CR&F has presented a new special edition to mark its 130-year history: the XO Cask Strength brandy, a limited edition of only 365 numbered bottles, from a single cask and bottled directly from the cask. This launch pays homage to know-how, mastery, and time, values that have defined the brand’s identity since 1895.
Discovered by the house’s oenologists during one of their selection journeys, this brandy had been reserved since 1980, awaiting the right moment to be revealed. Originating from the Vinho Verde region, it benefits from a terroir marked by a fresh, humid Atlantic climate and granitic soils, factors that contribute to delicate aromatic profiles, high acidity, and great complexity.
The CR&F XO Cask Strength presents itself as a pure and unaltered brandy, bottled in its most authentic expression. Visually, it reveals an amber-gold color with greenish reflections. On the nose, notes of sea breeze, bitter almond, and saline nuances stand out, wrapped in hints of iodine and salted caramel. On the palate, it is iodized and intense, with well-marked salted caramel, a long finish, and a harmonious integration of the wood.
The edition is also distinguished by its luxury presentation. The crystal bottle is housed in a wooden box, lined with sustainable leather, integrating historical elements of the brand such as the seal, the cord, the signature of the three founders, and the old CR&F logo, where the dragon—a symbol of strength and tradition—stands out. Each box also includes a fragment of the very cask where the brandy aged, transformed into a numbered piece, reinforcing the exclusive character of the edition.
This launch is part of the celebrations for CR&F’s 130th anniversary, marked under the motto “Made with time. Lived with memories.”, underlining the brand’s connection to history and the Portuguese families that helped build its legacy. Currently integrated into the João Portugal Ramos Group, CR&F continues to establish itself as a reference in the brandy universe, with a prestigious position in the national and international market.
Quinta do Bomfim enters TOP 50 Best Wineries and ranks in TOP 100 World’s Best Vineyards
15/01/2026Quinta do Bomfim, from Symington Family Estates, has been distinguished for the first time in the TOP 50 Best Wineries, promoted by Forbes magazine, and has been included in the TOP 100 World's Best Vineyards, reinforcing the international recognition of the Douro's winemaking heritage and the continuous management of the Symington family.Quinta do Bomfim, a property of Symington Family Estates located in the heart of the Douro, has recently been distinguished in two international benchmark rankings in the wine and wine tourism sector. The property makes its debut in the TOP 50 Best Wineries, promoted by Forbes magazine, reaching the 31st position, and also ranks in the TOP 100 World’s Best Vineyards, where it occupies the 66th place.
This double recognition highlights not only the quality of the wines produced at Quinta do Bomfim but also the experience offered to visitors, positioning it as one of the most complete and distinctive wine tourism proposals in the Douro region. At Quinta do Bomfim, visitors can tour the vineyards and the winery, explore a small museum with objects and memories of the Symington family, as well as enjoy the gastronomic offerings of the estate’s restaurant, on a journey that intersects wine, history, and territory.
The World’s Best Vineyards competition is now one of the main international references for evaluating wine tourism experiences, taking into account criteria such as the quality of the visit, the beauty of the landscape, the history of the properties, and the connection to local culture. The TOP 50 Best Wineries distinguishes wineries that excel simultaneously in wine production and hospitality, valuing aspects such as innovation, sustainability, and the ability to create memorable experiences for visitors.
Among the award-winning experiences associated with the Symington family, the Vesúvio & Bomfim Experience stands out, recognized within the Best of Wine Tourism in the category of innovative experiences. This proposal invites visitors to discover two of the family’s most emblematic estates – Quinta do Vesúvio and Quinta do Bomfim – with a highlight being a train journey along the Douro Line, which combines landscape, tradition, and storytelling around the wine and the region’s cultural heritage.
These distinctions add to other national and international recognitions awarded to the Symington family’s properties, reinforcing the role of Quinta do Bomfim as an ambassador for Douro wine tourism and the group’s commitment to valuing the viticultural heritage, innovation, and long-term management that characterizes the family’s history in the Douro.
Quinta de Pancas completes portfolio with Special Selection Chardonnay 2024
12/01/2026Quinta de Pancas has presented the Special Selection Chardonnay 2024, the new wine that concludes the recent overhaul of the brand's portfolio, developed by WineStone, reinforcing the Atlantic identity and elegant profile of the wines from the Lisbon region.Quinta de Pancas, one of the historic estates in the Lisbon region, has just launched the Special Selection Chardonnay 2024, a wine that marks the completion of the renewal process of its portfolio, led by WineStone. This new launch underscores the Quinta’s strong connection to its terroir, where Atlantic influence plays a decisive role in the freshness and character of the wines.
The grapes that gave rise to this Chardonnay come from a 31-year-old vineyard planted in clay-limestone soils at about 250 meters of altitude, conditions that favor a balanced, fresh, and elegant expression of the variety. According to the company, these characteristics are reflected in a wine that combines complexity and regional identity.
With a bright greenish-citrine color, the Special Selection Chardonnay 2024 presents an elegant and complex aromatic profile, marked by notes of lemon, apple, and pineapple, complemented by mineral hints and subtle toasted and buttery nuances. These result from careful winemaking, with fermentation in French oak barrels and 10 months of aging on the lees, a process that contributes to the wine’s depth and balance.
On the palate, the wine reveals itself as structured and intense, with well-defined acidity, evident freshness, and a long, persistent finish, characteristics that reinforce the positioning of the Special Selection range within the universe of Quinta de Pancas wines.
For David Baverstock, chairman winemaker at WineStone, this launch represents more than just a novelty in the portfolio. He emphasizes that the Special Selection Chardonnay “perfectly expresses the identity of Pancas’s vineyards and terroir,” while consolidating a new chapter in the brand’s assertion, based on freshness, elegance, and complexity.
Casal Garcia marks the festive season with Fruitzy as a light alternative to traditional sparkling wines
10/01/2026Casal Garcia is once again highlighting the Fruitzy range during the festive season, a period that represents about 35% of the product's annual sales, establishing itself as a fruity and low-alcohol alternative to traditional sparkling wines in Christmas and New Year's celebrations.The Casal Garcia brand is marking the festive season with the Fruitzy range, a proposal that has been gaining relevance among Portuguese consumers and positions itself as a lighter alternative to traditional sparkling wines. The month of December represents about one-third of Casal Garcia Fruitzy’s annual sales, reflecting the growing preference for beverages with a fruity profile and lower alcohol content in celebration contexts.
According to the brand, the bottle format inspired by sparkling wines, combined with an appealing image and a fresh, accessible profile, contributes to the product’s suitability for new consumption habits. Currently with six flavors available, such as strawberry and passion fruit, Casal Garcia Fruitzy has consolidated its market presence in just three years, assuming leadership of the category among some of the main food retail operators.
According to Isabel Barbosa, Brand Manager for Casal Garcia, consumers are increasingly looking for fruity options with lower alcohol content, especially during social and celebratory moments. “Casal Garcia Fruitzy, with its light, fresh, and versatile profile, adapts well to sharing moments that bring different generations together at the table,” she states.
With the tagline “Low in alcohol. High in fruit.”, the Fruitzy range has an alcohol content of 5.5% and an aromatic profile aligned with current trends that favor refreshing, versatile beverages suitable for different consumption occasions throughout the year. Nevertheless, it is during Christmas and the end of the year that a significant sales peak occurs.
For Ana Sampaio, Marketing Director at Aveleda, the product’s profile, packaging, and versatility explain its transversal consumption throughout the year and among diverse audiences.
Altano celebrated 25 years with pre-launch of the new Reserva wine labels
08/01/2026Altano, the Symington family's first DOC Douro wine, presents the new visual identity for the Altano Reserva Branco and Tinto labels, reinforcing the connection between innovation, territory, and authenticity.The Altano brand, a pioneer among the Symington family’s DOC Douro wines, marks its 25th anniversary with the pre-launch of the new image for the Altano Reserva Branco and Tinto labels. The visual update includes a new bottle format and highlights the Scops Owl (Mocho-d’Orelhas) as a central element, now depicted in full flight and captured through watercolor, conveying elegance, movement, and dynamism.
The launch involves the Altano Reserva Branco 2023 and the Altano Reserva Tinto 2022. The white reveals complexity and unctuousness, combining the freshness of the Douro with the structure and aging potential from barrel aging, while the red presents a dense and structured profile, designed to evolve in the bottle and accompany more robust dishes, reflecting the region’s typical and modern expression.
“Altano’s 25th anniversary represents a very special milestone for us at Symington. This was our first DOC Douro wine and marks the beginning of a new stage in how we relate to this extraordinary region,” says Cláudia Monteiro, Brand Manager at Symington Family Estates, highlighting the brand’s commitment to authenticity, sustainability, and quality.
The new image was revealed at an exclusive dinner at DAM Lisboa, led by Chef Maurício Varela. The occasion also featured a collaboration with artist Jorge Colombo, known internationally for his illustrations for The New Yorker, who created a work inspired by the Douro and the spirit of Altano, reinforcing the brand’s artistic and singular character.
More than just a wine brand, Altano represents the contemporary Douro—sustainable, accessible, and inspiring—and the 25-year celebration is also a tribute to the long tradition of the Symington family, which for over 140 years has been dedicated to the production of Port and DOC Douro wines.
Leo d’Honor 2021: the return of a classic from Casa Ermelinda Freitas
06/01/2026Casa Ermelinda Freitas presents the new vintage of the iconic Leo d'Honor 2021, a rare wine produced only in exceptional years and considered the great emblem of Fernando Pó wines.At the beginning of November, Casa Ermelinda Freitas launched the latest vintage of its most iconic wine: Leo d’Honor 2021. True to its tradition of excellence, this legendary wine is made exclusively from Castelão grapes from old vines over 60 years old, carefully selected and only produced in truly exceptional years. Since the first edition in 1999, only eight vintages have reached the market: 1999, 2001, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2015 and now 2021.
The origin of Leo d’Honor’s graphic and symbolic identity dates back to the coat of arms of Fernando Pó, a unique wine-growing region historically linked to the family. The figure of the lion — inspired by the emblem adopted by the 16th-century navigator who gave the land its name — represents strength, character and prestige. The name ‘Leo d’Honor’, which also echoes the name ‘Leonor’, seeks to affirm this wine as the lion of honour of Fernando Pó, the ultimate expression of the region and the Castelão grape variety.
On tasting, Leo d’Honor 2021 reveals a deep and concentrated aroma, where the Castelão grape variety reaches its splendour with notes of black fruits, jams and spices. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, followed by 12 months in the bottle, it has a complex structure, firm and elegant tannins, and subtle nuances of tobacco and chocolate from the ageing in wood. The finish is persistent, harmonious and markedly sophisticated.
It is a wine designed for the table — ideal for accompanying stewed meat, game dishes, oven-roasted meats, strong cheeses or foie gras, where its depth and elegance are fully expressed.
Matriarca recently opened The Attic Bar and The Wine Academy in Porto
05/01/2026Matriarca, an emblematic space of the Symington family, recently inaugurated the full opening of its building, now offering a complete wine and gastronomic experience with the addition of The Attic Bar and The Wine Academy, joining the existing The Wine Bar, The Dining Room, and The Cellar Shop.The Attic Bar, located on the third floor, is dedicated to signature Port wine cocktails inspired by the life, travels, and rituals of the family matriarch, Beatriz Leitão Carvalhosa Atkinson. The menu features the Signature Collection, with cocktails at €12 and non-alcoholic options at €8, and the Recrafted Collection, which reimagines international classics using Port wine as a base. Among the proposals, highlights include the floral and delicate Lúcia, the complex Âmbar, and the exotic Ambrósia, alongside creations inspired by the seasons and personal family memories.
On the top floor, The Wine Academy offers a comprehensive program for beginners, hospitality professionals, and corporate groups. The academy provides introductory wine tasting courses, Port wine cocktail workshops, special tastings with rare wines, and paired dinners, as well as experiences tailored for companies, with groups of up to 11 people.
Vicky Symington, a member of the family’s fifth generation and wine tourism marketing manager, emphasized that the opening marks “a meeting point for all who value wine, gastronomy, and the know-how that spans generations.” Teresa Symington Caxide, head of the hospitality area, added that Matriarca aims “to demystify wine and create memorable moments that reflect the essence of our project.”
The recent opening of The Attic Bar and The Wine Academy is also an excellent example of urban wine tourism, demonstrating how it is possible to reconcile wine tradition with innovative experiences in the heart of the city of Porto. With this complete offering, Matriarca seeks to be a benchmark for wine tourism and wine innovation, attracting both wine enthusiasts and the general public interested in gastronomy, culture, and unique experiences.
Four Decades later, Symington launches Vintage Ports 1985
04/01/2026The Symington family has announced the launch of an extremely limited edition of 1985 Vintage Ports from the houses of Dow’s, Graham’s, and Warre’s, sourced directly from the private cellars they maintain in Vila Nova de Gaia.Considered one of the great classic years of the late 20th century, 1985 was marked by a hot, dry summer followed by a nearly perfect harvest, producing concentrated, powerful wines with high aging potential. After 40 years of maturation under controlled conditions, the wines now revealed exhibit enormous complexity and a flawless point of evolution, according to the family.
For decades, Symington has maintained the practice of reserving small quantities of Vintage Port for prolonged aging, releasing them only at three moments: during the initial en primeur sale, as Library Releases (20–30 years), and later, as Private Cellar Releases (from 40 years onward). Head winemaker Charles Symington monitors the evolution of these lots, just as his father did before him.
Each bottle released now was individually assessed and, if necessary, re-corked. To mark the occasion, new labels and packaging were created, inspired by the historical identity of the three houses, reinforcing the wines’ origin and state of preservation. All units are numbered and indicate the dates of bottling, re-corking, and release. The total lot includes only 800 bottles of Dow’s, 200 of Graham’s, and 1,000 of Warre’s, described by the company as “some of the last remaining reserves of 1985 Vintage Port” from the family cellars.
“After each en primeur release, our family has always set aside a small quantity of Vintage Port to be released again decades later. With these 1985 Private Cellar Releases, we are sharing wines that have been part of our family’s life for 40 years,” said Harry Symington of the 5th generation, adding that these examples demonstrate “the extraordinary capacity of Vintage Port to gain complexity while maintaining its vitality.”
Of Scottish, English, and Portuguese descent, the Symington family has been producing Port since 1882 and currently has ten members actively managing the four historic houses—Graham’s, Cockburn’s, Dow’s, and Warre’s—as well as the Douro wine brands Quinta do Vesuvio, Quinta do Ataíde, Altano, and Prats & Symington (Chryseia). In 2017, it expanded its activity to the Alto Alentejo with Quinta da Fonte Souto.
The company is one of the main vineyard owners in the Douro, with 28 estates totaling 2,490 hectares, of which 1,076 are vineyards. It is a founding member of Primum Familiae Vini and was recognized in 2020 as the world’s 7th most admired wine brand by Drinks International magazine.
Symington highlights its commitment to sustainable practices, managing all vineyards with minimal intervention and maintaining 130 hectares certified as organic, the largest area of its kind in the North of the country. The company was the first in the sector in Portugal to obtain B Corp certification and was named Ethical Company of the Year at the 2019 Drinks Business Green Awards.
Quinta da Lagoalva launches new references and vintages
02/01/2026Quinta da Lagoalva, one of the oldest agricultural estates in the Tejo wine region, has presented new references that reinforce the renewal of its portfolio, a process intensified over the last three years. The producer is now debuting a premium sparkling wine and a 10-year-old fortified abafado wine, while simultaneously launching new vintages from its Reserva and Grande Reserva ranges.The new Quinta da Lagoalva Dona Isabel Juliana Espumante Grande Reserva Bruto white 2021, the estate’s top-of-the-range sparkling wine, joins the existing Pet Nat and Reserva Bruto, now forming a portfolio of three sparkling wines. Produced using the traditional method and aged for 36 months in the bottle, it presents aromas of baked bread and dried fruit, fine bubbles, and marked acidity.
Also new to the market is the Quinta da Lagoalva Vinho Licoroso Abafado 10 Anos, made exclusively from Fernão Pires. With an amber color, it reveals notes of dried fruit and flowers, the result of prolonged aging in used French oak barrels.
The brand also presented new vintages of its iconic references: the Lagoalva Reserva Arinto & Chardonnay white 2024, the Lagoalva Reserva Alfrocheiro & Syrah red 2023, and the Quinta da Lagoalva Grande Reserva Syrah red 2023. The wines continue to highlight the typical profile of the region, combining freshness, structure, and wood aging in the red versions.
Originating from vineyards in the lezíria (riverside plains) and clay soils, these new editions reinforce Quinta da Lagoalva’s commitment to producing distinctive wines, with attention to enological detail and the preservation of the Tejo’s identity.
Ravasqueira launches first certified organic wine
01/01/2026Ravasqueira has presented the Reserva da Família Bio 2023, the estate's first wine with organic certification, produced exclusively from Touriga Nacional, reinforcing the commitment of the producer and the WineStone group to sustainable viticulture in harmony with nature.Ravasqueira has just launched the Reserva da Família Bio 2023, the first wine from the estate to obtain organic certification, marking a new step in the sustainability strategy of the Alentejo producer and the WineStone group. Produced exclusively from the Touriga Nacional grape, the wine originates from the “Vinha da Ribeira” (Riverside Vineyard), one of the most emblematic plots of the Monte da Ravasqueira.
According to the company, this launch reflects an approach focused on respect for the land and the valorization of terroir. For David Baverstock, chairman winemaker at WineStone, the new wine “represents the essence of Ravasqueira,” uniting tradition, knowledge, and a continuous will to evolve, from the vineyard to the winery.
The grapes from this plot, farmed using organic production methods, were harvested manually and kept cold, followed by a maceration period of eight to ten days. Part of the lot was aged for one year in French oak barrels, contributing to the wine’s complexity and balance.
The Ravasqueira Reserva da Família Bio 2023 presents an intense and elegant aromatic profile, marked by floral notes of violet and rockrose, characteristic of Touriga Nacional, accompanied by red and black fruit such as blackberry and blueberry, as well as subtle nuances of vanilla and spices.
The edition is limited to approximately 3,500 bottles and is already available on the market. The production strictly follows the principles of organic agriculture, promoting biodiversity and ecosystem balance. In the vineyard, fertilization uses natural organic matter, and pest control is carried out through natural methods, while soil management prioritizes the preservation of fertility and water resources. In the winery, only certified grapes are used, with minimal intervention and reduced use of sulfites.
This launch occurs within a broader context of commitment to sustainability. In early 2025, Ravasqueira was distinguished with the National Reference for Sustainability Certification of the Vitivinicultural Sector, developed by the Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho and ViniPortugal. The distinction recognizes practices aligned with sustainable environmental, social, and economic principles.
Situated within an estate spanning approximately 3,000 hectares, owned by the José de Mello family for over 80 years, Ravasqueira continues to preserve a mode of production that combines traditional agricultural techniques with precision agriculture, seeking to do more—and better—with fewer resources.