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Dow Port Winery Guide
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Last updated: April 18, 2024
Winery Overview
Dow’s, one of the esteemed Port wine producers, has a rich history dating back to 1798 when Bruno da Silva, a Portuguese merchant, founded it. Initially, Da Silva established a wine-importing business in London, bringing Port Wines from his hometown of Oporto. Around fifty years later, his son joined forces with William Cosens, an Englishman, forming Silva & Cosens. Leveraging the tensions between England and France in the early 1800s, Da Silva successfully imported Port into Bristol and London.
In 1868, George A. Warre, a descendant of William Warre and an influential figure in the Port wine trade, became a partner, further enhancing the company’s standing. James Ramsay Dow joined the firm in 1877 when DOW & Co. merged with Silva & Cosens. In 1893, Rodrick Dow became a partner and officially established the Dow brand. At this time, Dow & Co. had become one of Porto’s largest Port wine shipping houses, renowned for their exceptional quality wines, especially Vintage Ports.
In 1912, Andrew James Symington became a partner, bringing other wineries, including Warre’s, into the fold. His three sons diligently managed the port wine business throughout two world wars, keeping the company under family ownership. Today, the fourth generation of Symingtons proudly owns and manages Dow’s 100%. The firm has pioneered modern winemaking techniques in the Douro Valley, solidifying its reputation as a beacon of excellence. As a result, wine critics continue to regard Dow’s wines as some of the finest in the world of Port wine.
Wines produced
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Dow's Vintage Port
On average only three times in a decade is the weather suitable for the declaration of a Vintage year and only a small handful of vineyards in the Alto Douro produce wines of the potential to become Vintage Port. The wine is aged for two to two and a half years in wood before being bottled, unfiltered. -
Dow's Quinta do Bomfin Vintage Port
Dow's finest vineyard, acquired and planted by the firm in 1980, situated in the most favorable location in the Upper Douro and with classified 'A' grade vineyards. In 'non-declared' years, the quinta produces wines of consistently high quality, which are selected and bottled as Dow's Quinta do Bomfim. -
Dow's Quinta Sra. da Ribeira Vintage Port
This famed estate was bought back by the Symington family in 1998, Dow's Bicentenary year. The wine is aged for a minimum 18 months in the Quinta's oak vats, before bottling in the spring of its second year. -
Dow's Late Bottled Vintage
These wines come from the same vineyards that, in a year when a Vintage is "declared", produce Vintage Port. However, as they are bottled between the fourth and sixth year after the harvest, they mature more quickly and are ready to drink much sooner. -
Dow's Crusted Port
Dow's Crusted Port is a blend of high quality wines from recent vintages that have been matured in cask for two to three years before bottling without any filtration. The wine is then aged for a further three years in bottle prior to being offered for sale. -
Dow's Trademark
This Port originates from Dow's own Quinta do Bomfim estate and a handful of neighbouring vineyards. Fruity, luscious and mellow with an attractive undertone of spice. Trademark has the slightly drier finish than others in the range. -
Old Tawny Ports (10 - over 40 years old)
Peter and Charles Symington select young wines of great style and body for setting aside and maturing in oak, over many years. During the ageing, the Ports gradually lose the full, deep red color of their youth and take on the classic amber hue, which gives them their name. -
Other Wines Include
Rubies, Tawnies and White Ports
Winery Contact Details
Dow Port
Travessa Barao de Forrester, Apartado 14Vila Nova de Gaia, 4401-997
Portugal
Email: [email protected]
Tel +351 22 377 6300
Fax +351 22 377 6301 Find out more
Facts & Figures
Appellation
Port
Founded
1798
Area under Vine
70 Ha
Age of vines
Oak barrel origin
Winemaker
Peter and Charles Symington
Owner
Symington Family
Production
186,000 cases
Grape varietals
Roriz, Touriga Francesa, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cao, Tinta Amarela
Grape Varieties Used by the Winery
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Tinta Amarela
Tinta Amarela, aka Trincadeira, is a red grape used in Port and red wine. Thrives in dry, hot climates, flaunting purple-skinned allure but susceptible to rot.
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Tinta Barroca
Tinta Barroca is one of the most common red wine grapes grown primarily in the Douro region in northern Portugal.
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Tinta Roriz (Aragonês)
Discover the versatile grape: Spain's Tempranillo, and in Portugal, Aragonês and Tinta Roriz (Douro Valley). Embrace the rich cultural tapestry of this beloved varietal.
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Tinto Cao
Uncover Tinta Cão, the treasured Portuguese red wine grape. A vital Port Wine blend, embodying Portugal's winemaking legacy with grace.
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Touriga Franca (Touriga Francesa)
Touriga Franca is a red grape variety known for producing wines with intense color and aromas of dark fruits and flowers. It's often used in Port wine blends and can also make complex, full-bodied still wines
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Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional red varietal is a dark-skinned grape predominately grown in Douro and Dão. In the Douro, it is used as a blending grape in Port wines.
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Winery Appellations
Author
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More information
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