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Graham’s Port launches bicentenary collection of legendary vintages
Graham’s Port is celebrating 200 years since it was founded in 1820 with the launch today of cabinet containing 12 historic ports – two of which have never previously been released.
Only 30 editions of this special collection will be produced, which includes “legendary” Vintage Ports from 1963, 1994 and 2011, which will be sold to raise money for the Scottish Wildlife Trust and Portugal’s Santa Casa de Misericordia de Carrazeda – two charities selected to reflect the origins of the port brand’s owner, Symington Family Estates.
While the cabinet – called the Bicentenary Collection – will be made-to-order and comes with a price tag of £25,000, the first edition will be auctioned by Christie’s of London in December together with a VIP trip to Porto and the Douro.
Comprising six Single Harvest Tawny Ports and six classic Vintage Ports, the cabinet including wines that have been hailed as some of the greatest declarations of the last two centuries.
All the Vintage Ports have been aged in impeccable conditions in the Graham’s cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia and the Single Harvest Tawny Ports have been selected and bottled specifically for the Bicentenary Collection, including two from 2000 and 2006 that have never been released before.
The 1982 Single Harvest Tawny was first bottled to mark the birth of HRH Prince George of Cambridge. The 2000 Single Harvest Tawny was the first port made with the Symington family’s revolutionary modern treading lagares – a huge innovation for the port trade.
Each wine has been carefully selected by members of the 3rd, 4th and 5th generation of the Symington family – port producers since 1882 and owners of Graham’s since 1970.
The collection is presented in a cabinet made from extremely rare santos rosewood by Portuguese master-joiners WeWood.
The collection is completed by a hand-blown decanter and set of wine glasses produced by Jancis Robinson MW in partnership with British product designer Richard Brendon, an expert two-part Durand corkscrew designed for removing corks from mature and valuable fine wines, and a specially commissioned decanting funnel from family-run, Porto-based silversmiths Ourivesaria Coutinho.
The santos rosewood used to make the cabinet is FSC certified (Forestry Stewardship Council), which is a guarantee that the wood comes from sustainably managed forests.
Customers can express interest in acquiring a Bicentenary Collection from today, with the first commissions will be delivered from January 2023.
To enquire about the Graham’s Bicentenary Collection please email:
bicentenarycollection@grahams-port.com
Please see below for more information about the wines in the collection:
The Single Harvest Tawny Ports
Graham’s 1961 Single Harvest Tawny Port
Harvested in a year which saw “very considerable damage [incurred by] disastrous thunderstorm and hail” on 2nd July, which significantly reduced the crop size, but ultimately led to wines of excellent colour, flavour and aroma.
Selected by Dominic Symington
“This wine brings back many memories and the excitement of driving from Porto to the Douro to join my father in the vineyards. I have recently become a grandfather for the first time and I can’t wait until my granddaughter is old enough for me to take her treading.”
Graham’s 1976 Single Harvest Tawny Port
Several port companies were closed or sold in the 1970s due to challenging market conditions and uncertainty caused by the 1974 Portuguese Revolution, but the fortitude of the third generation of the Symington family kept Graham’s thriving, producing this remarkable wine in difficult weather conditions.
Selected by siblings Harry and Charlotte Symington
“This wine is an important reminder that each generation of our family has faced challenges, their hard work and dedication has inspired us to continue to pass on a stronger and more resilient company to the next generation.”
Graham’s 1982 Single Harvest Tawny Port
First bottled to mark the birth of HRH Prince George of Cambridge, this wine is testament to the historic alliance between England and Portugal.
Selected by Vicky Symington
“This very special wine reminds me of my British and Portuguese heritage, both of which I’m incredibly proud of. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.”
Graham’s 1995 Single Harvest Tawny Port
Favourable weather conditions created this complex yet balanced wine, harvested as members of the fifth generation of Symingtons were cutting their teeth in the Douro.
Selected by Anthony Symington
“This wine brings back fond memories of exploring the Douro as a young boy, which ignited my passion for the region, port and our family business.”
Graham’s 2000 Single Harvest Tawny Port
The year 2000 marked inaugural year of the mechanical lagares introduced at Quinta dos Malvedos, which revolutionised the port industry.
Selected by Hugh Symington
“This wine will always remind me of the excitement I felt seeing the first modern treading lagar and finding out I now had a sister!”
Graham’s 2006 Single Harvest Tawny Port
This year saw the hottest May in 40 years and a very warm June complete with a strong hailstorm, but despite the challenging conditions, the region produced generous and sumptuous ports, while members of the Symington’s fifth generation explored the world beyond Portugal, prior to joining the family business.
Selected by Rob Symington
“I’m looking forward to sharing a bottle of the Graham’s 2006 Single Harvest Tawny one day with my Africa travelling companions and reminiscing about our great adventure!”
The Vintage Ports
Graham’s 1963 Vintage Port
A landmark wine symbolising the renaissance of Vintage Port and the turnaround of the port trade after the Second World War, hailed as one of the great declarations of the last century.
Selected by Peter Symington
“Every time I have a glass of 1963 Vintage Port it reminds me why this wine is still rated as one of the greatest vintages Graham ever produced and will certainly be an excellent wine for many years to come.”
Graham’s 1970 Vintage Port
The first vintage declared following the Symington family’s acquisition of Graham’s, establishing an incredibly high standard for future generations to emulate.
Selected by James Symington
“Every time I pick up a glass of the 1970 I toast the two families involved in the history of Graham’s.”
Graham’s 1985 Vintage Port
This was the first harvest undertaken by current Chairman of Symington Family Estates, Johnny Symington, as a working family member. The year saw abundant rainfall after four consecutive dry years, leading to a wine of outstanding quality.
Selected by Johnny Symington
“This wine reminds me of the importance of passing down knowledge and expertise from generation to generation. This is particularly poignant now as my daughter, Vicky, has recently joined the business which has brought back so many memories of my own experience in my early days in the business.”
Graham’s 1994 Vintage Port
Arguably one of the best vintages of the 20th century, the vines developed under near perfect conditions and produced a wine of Graham’s signature elegance, balance, and complexity.
Selected by Rupert Symington
“Quite simply a classic. I look forward to picking up a glass again and celebrating some of life’s greatest moments with my son, Hugh.”
Graham’s 1997 Vintage Port
One of three Vintage Ports declared in the 1990s, in the year that marked James Symington’s retirement as Chairman.
Selected by Paul Symington
“This Vintage Port reminds me of the uniqueness of our family company: this year marks the handover from the 3rd to the 4th generation and the quality of this great port comes from the knowledge that had been handed down to us over generations.”
Graham’s 2011 Vintage Port
An exceptional harvest with substantially lower yields than previous years. Just 8,000 cases were bottled by Charles Symington in his first year as Head Winemaker. The wine was hailed a triumph, ranking amongst the all-time greats.
Selected by Charles Symington
“Every Vintage is different and not many will ever be as great as this one. What a year to put all the knowledge and experience handed down through generations to the test!”
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