Symington family opens “Matriarca” in the heart of Porto

05/08/2025The renowned Symington family, with five generations of history in the production of Port wine and premium still wines, has just opened the doors of its latest project: Matriarca, a unique space dedicated to wine, gastronomy and sharing.

Located in Praça de Carlos Alberto, in the centre of Porto, Matriarca was born as a tribute to the matriarch Beatriz Leitão Carvalhosa Atkinson, an inspiring figure who marked the family’s origins in Portugal.

The new space occupies a noble three-storey building with a wine bar, a wine shop, a signature restaurant, a cocktail bar (to open soon) and a wine academy with courses, workshops and masterclasses. The proposal is to offer a complete experience that combines tradition, innovation and a cosy atmosphere inspired by the city’s historic wine clubs.

The Wine Bar, on the ground floor, serves Portuguese snacks and a wide selection of wines produced by Symington. Next door, The Cellar Shop offers a personalised shopping experience and informal tastings, with no reservation required. The Dining Room restaurant, on the first floor, offers Portuguese and British-inspired menus, with proposals from Porto chef Pedro Lencastre Monteiro, such as Beef Wellington, Turbot in Champagne Sauce or Crepe Soufflé with Douro Orange.

Planned for the coming months, The Attic Bar and the Wine Academy complete Matriarca’s offer, with an emphasis on Port wine-based cocktails and educational and sensory experiences for oenophiles and the curious.

According to Vicky Symington, the 5th generation of the family and the company’s wine tourism marketing manager, ‘Matriarca is the culmination of years of work and reflects the essence of what we want to offer: special moments with friends and family, accompanied by excellent gastronomy and memorable wines’.

Decorated by the prestigious London studio Thurstan, with restored pieces and local produce, the Matriarca is also a sustainable project that honours the past with an eye to the future. A new must-see for anyone visiting Porto, and for all those who live wine as a true passion.