Graham's
Summary
Graham's, established in 1820 and owned by the Symington family since 1970, produces a comprehensive range of Port wines from their 133-hectare flagship Quinta dos Malvedos estate and four additional properties in Portugal's Douro Valley, where traditional Portuguese varieties thrive in schist soils. They balance tradition and innovation by maintaining foot treading in granite lagares for their finest Ports while employing modern robotic treaders for larger production, aging their wines meticulously in wooden vats and seasoned oak casks according to style.
Heritage & Leadership
Graham's was established in 1820 when William and John Graham, textile merchants from Scotland, accepted 27 pipes of Port wine as payment for a debt. This marked the beginning of W & J Graham's as a Port producer in Portugal's Douro Valley. The company remained in Graham family hands until 1970 when it was acquired by the Symington Family, who continue to own and manage it today. The Symington family, with their Portuguese-British heritage dating back to 1882 in the Port trade, brought five generations of winemaking experience to Graham's.
Under Symington Family Estates' stewardship, Graham's operations are directed by Paul Symington as chairman, with Johnny Symington serving as head winemaker. The family maintains direct involvement in all aspects of production. A significant milestone in Graham's history came in 1890 with the purchase of Quinta dos Malvedos, which remains the cornerstone of their Port production. In 2013, the company opened The Graham's 1890 Lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia, creating a visitor center that showcases the brand's historical documents and artifacts while offering public tours of their aging cellars.
Vineyards & Wines
Graham's vineyard holdings center around Quinta dos Malvedos, their 133-hectare flagship estate situated on the north bank of the Douro River near Tua. This property features south-facing slopes at elevations ranging from 130 to 350 meters, providing ideal sun exposure for ripening. The estate is planted primarily with Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Amarela. The schist soils of Malvedos, with their vertical fractures allowing vine roots to penetrate deeply, contribute to the concentration and character of the fruit.
Beyond Malvedos, Graham's sources grapes from Quinta do Tua (18 hectares), Quinta da Vila Velha (29 hectares), Quinta do Vale de Malhadas (51 hectares), and Quinta das Lages (80 hectares). Each vineyard contributes distinct characteristics to the final blends. Graham's produces a comprehensive range of Ports including Vintage, Late Bottled Vintage, Tawny (10, 20, 30, and 40 Year Old), Single Harvest Tawnies, and Crusted Port. Their production is distinguished by the "Six Grapes" reserve Port, which uses the same symbol that has marked the company's finest casks since the 19th century.
Philosophy & Practice
Graham's winemaking philosophy balances tradition with innovation. The company maintains the practice of foot treading in granite lagares for their finest Ports, particularly Vintage Ports, while also employing modern robotic treaders that replicate the gentle pressure of human feet for consistent quality across larger production volumes. This approach preserves traditional methods while ensuring consistency.
The aging process at Graham's follows strict protocols depending on the Port style. Vintage Ports age two years in large wooden vats before bottling, then continue aging in bottle. Tawny Ports mature in 550-liter seasoned oak casks, with careful monitoring and tasting by the master blender throughout their development. The company maintains extensive stocks of aging Ports in their Vila Nova de Gaia lodges, where the moderate temperature and humidity provide ideal conditions for slow maturation.
Graham's has implemented water conservation measures across their vineyards and modernized their winery facilities to reduce energy consumption. Their vineyard management includes the preservation of indigenous flora and fauna, maintaining biodiversity within the UNESCO World Heritage Douro landscape. The company's commitment to quality is evidenced by their meticulous grape selection process, with each vineyard plot harvested separately and assessed individually before any blending decisions are made.