Symington acquires new quinta

Symington Family Estates has acquired a new property in the north-east of the Douro with 33 hectares of vineyards.

As well as the vineyards, the new property, Quinta do Carrascal, lies next to one of the family’s other properties, Quinta de Ataíde, and includes 52ha of olive groves, 13ha of mixed farming and 27ha of natural scrub.

The vineyards are planted on schist soils and Charles Symington, chief viticulturist for Symington Family Estates, is increasingly impressed with the quality of the wines being produced there, hence one reason for the acquisition.

The Symington cousins said: “We love the environment in this wonderfully remote valley and this was an opportunity not be missed as we know how good the wines are from here. Many will call us mad to be investing in more vineyards during these troubled times, but we believe that there will always be a place for fine Port and great Douro wines.”