2023 Auction Lots

1 – 750ml 1961 Graham’s Single Harvest Tawny Port
1 – 750ml 1976 Graham’s Single Harvest Tawny Port
1 – 750ml 1982 Graham’s Single Harvest Tawny Port
1 – 750ml 1995 Graham’s Single Harvest Tawny Port
1 – 750ml 2000 Graham’s Single Harvest Tawny Port
1 – 750ml 2006 Graham’s Single Harvest Tawny Port
1 – 750ml 1963 Graham’s Vintage Port
1 – 750ml 1970 Graham’s Vintage Port
1 – 750ml 1985 Graham’s Vintage Port
1 – 750ml 1994 Graham’s Vintage Port
1 – 750ml 1997 Graham’s Vintage Port
1 – 750ml 2011 Graham’s Vintage Port

One (1) limited edition Bicentenary Collection Cabinet, containing 12 historic ports, Jancis Robinson MW designed decanter and glasses, decanting funnel, The Durand® corkscrew engraved with Graham’s logo and bicentenary commemorative book

Six (6) night bespoke exploration of the finest Ports in Porto and Douro Valley with a tranquil escape to the island of Madeira in Portugal for two (2) couples

Roundtrip, Business Class Airfare from any major city in the contiguous United States to Lisbon, Portugal and returning from Madeira, Portugal for two (2) couples
Highest Class Airfare from Porto, Portugal to Madeira, Portugal
VIP Meet and Greet, roundtrip airport services with customs assistance upon arrival in Lisbon
Roundtrip, airport transfers and private ground transportation to all stated activities

Porto, Portugal:
One (1) night’s accommodation at a premium boutique hotel in Porto
Reception at the Symington Family Estate’s private dining room
Tour and tasting in the Symington wine cellars, accompanied by a member of the Symington Family or winemaker
Breakfast, lunch and dinners included through the duration of the stay in Porto

Douro, Portugal:
One (1) night’s accommodation at the Symington Family private house at Graham’s Quinta dos Malvedos
One (1) night’s accommodation at the Symington Family private house at Dow’s Quinta do Bomfim
Tour of the Symington Family Vineyards by a member of the Symington Family or winemaker
Dinner at the Bomfim 1896 at Dow’s Quinta do Bomfim, prepared by Michelin-starred Chef Pedro Lemos
Breakfast, lunch and dinners included through the duration of the stay in Douro

Madeira, Portugal:
Three (3) nights’ accommodations in Deluxe Junior Suites at Reid’s Palace, A Belmond Hotel
Full day tour of the island of Madeira, traveling from the south to north coast, visiting local wineries with lunch and stops in places such as Câmara de Lobos, São Vicente, Seixal and Porto Moniz
Breakfast included daily at Reid’s Palace

During this remarkable week, the winning bidders’ party of four will discover the famous high points of Portuguese wine, courtesy of Symington Family Estates—vintage Ports, Colheitas and both the recent vintages and aged soleras of the island of Madeira.

Founded by Andrew James Symington, who arrived in Porto from Scotland in 1882, Symington Family Estates is the largest player on the Portuguese wine scene. Between the company and family members, they control 27 quintas (wine estates) in the Douro region, which produce grapes for Symington-owned Port houses such as Graham’s, Warre’s, Dow’s, Cockburn’s, Smith Woodhouse and Gould Campbell, along with Madeira brands Blandy’s, Cossart Gordon, Leacock’s and Miles.

You’ll begin in Porto, the second-largest city in Portugal, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Perched along the Douro River estuary, the nearby cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia are the headquarters for the storing, packaging and export of Port wine. You’ll be received in the Symington Family Estate’s private dining room and have a tour and tasting in their wine cellars.

From Porto you’ll travel to the Douro Valley, home to vineyards that supply grapes for the finest Port lodges. Your first night in the Douro will be spent at the Symington Family house at Quinta dos Malvedos, the vineyard which has been the cornerstone of Graham’s Vintage Ports ever since it was acquired in 1890. You’ll spend the following night at Quinta do Bomfim, bought by Dow’s in 1896. Andrew James Symington became a partner in Dow’s in 1912 and made Quinta do Bomfim his Douro family home.

A highlight of your stay in the Douro will be dinner at Bomfim 1896, the on-site restaurant helmed by Michelin-starred Chef Pedro Lemos. One of the most exciting of the new generation of Portuguese chefs, his menus are filled with traditional dishes prepared with 21st century innovations.

Next, board a plane for the 700-mile flight to the island of Madeira, a place of lush greenery and rugged mountains.

Your home base will be Reid’s Palace, the queen of Madeira’s luxury hotels, located west of Funchal Bay with sweeping views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Part of the Belmond group, the hotel opened in 1891 and has catered to guests as diverse as Winston Churchill, Gregory Peck, Albert Schweitzer and George Bernard Shaw. Your Deluxe Junior Suite will balance modern elegance with vintage flourishes and will include amenities such as a marble bathroom, designer toiletries, Wi-Fi and a private furnished balcony with ocean views.

During your full-day tour of the island, you’ll visit local wineries to observe the unique vinification process up close. Your travels will take you to Câmara de Lobos, a charming fishing village on the coast southwest of Funchal; Sâo Vicente, home of the volcanic caves of the same name; the seaside village of Seixal; and the municipality of Porto Moniz on the island’s northwest tip.

As a remembrance of Portugal, the winning bidders will receive a stunning collection of Graham’s Port vintages, divided in two parts: vintage Port and single harvest tawny Port Colheitas (vintage-dated tawnies), each exceptional vintage is selected by members of the 3rd, 4th & 5th generations of the Symington Family.  These bottles will be housed in a limited edition Bicentenary Collection Cabinet made of Santos rosewood, crafted in collaboration with the watch and furniture maker WeWood, to celebrate the bicentenary of Graham’s Port from 1820 to 2020. The collection will come with a decanter and glasses designed by Jancis Robinson MW, along with a decanting funnel, a bicentenary commemorative book and a The Durand® corkscrew engraved with the Graham’s logo.

This lot provides an intimate view of the labor-intensive process of making both Port and Madeira wine, along with an immersion into Portuguese culture. Bid high and make it yours!

Please Note: This lot is a six (6) night bespoke exploration of the finest Ports in Porto and Douro Valley with a tranquil escape to the island of Madeira in Portugal for two (2) couples

Please Note: This lot includes One (1) limited edition Bicentenary Collection Cabinet, containing 12 historic ports, Jancis Robinson MW designed decanter and glasses, decanting funnel, The Durand® corkscrew engraved with Graham’s logo and bicentenary commemorative book. The listed wines will be shipping with the cabinet directly to the winning bidder.

Insider's Info

Roundtrip, Business Class Airfare from any major city in the contiguous United States to Lisbon, Portugal, returning from Madeira, Portugal and Highest Class Airfare from Porto, Portugal to Madeira, Portugal is included. VIP Meet and Greet, roundtrip airport services with customs assistance upon arrival in Lisbon is included. VIP airport services are not available in Madeira and are not included. Roundtrip, airport transfers and all ground transportation to stated activities are included. Accommodations in Porto will be in a premium boutique hotel in premium rooms based on availability and chosen by the Symington team once dates of travel are confirmed. During the visit to Porto and Douro, guests will be accompanied by a Symington Family member or winemaker for all experiences. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in Porto and Douro. All taxes and fees are included. Gratuities are not mandatory but are appreciated to the staff of the private houses and are at the discretion of the winning bidders. Breakfast is included daily at Reid’s Palace and lunch is included at a winery during the full day tour of Madeira. All additional meals in Madeira are not included and are at the winning bidders’ expense. The limited-edition Bicentenary Collection Cabinet will include the listed wine, decanting funnel and glasses, The Durand^® corkscrew and a bicentenary commemorative book. The cabinet will be shipped directly to the winning bidder.

Donor

Symington Family Estates

with special thanks to Martha Good Luxury Travel