Quinta do Bomfim
Quinta do Bomfim is located in the heart of the Upper Douro Valley and is owned by the Symington family who have worked here for five generations. Guests can enjoy the heritage of this famous estate while visiting the winery, the beautiful old wine cellar and the vineyard. The family-made ports and wines may be tasted on the terrace, with wonderful views of the Douro River and surrounding vineyards.
This historic estate is situated on the north bank of the Douro River adjoining the village of Pinhão, the crossroads of the Upper Douro. Visitors arriving by car have on-site parking, whilst those arriving by train have a five-minute walk to the estate. The Pinhão river marina is ten minutes away by foot.
The tour begins in a small museum which tells the story of the property, the family, and the wines. A collection of early 20th century photographs of the Douro and documents record the history of the wine estate and the region. Visitors may choose between three vineyard walks which afford excellent views of the surrounding mountain vineyards, some with dry stone terraces built by hand in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The visit includes the old lodge built in 1896, one of the most magnificent such structures in the Douro Valley. This vast vat and barrel cellar, with its extraordinarily complex roof-structure, has been used for over one hundred years to hold the ports from each harvest at the estate before they are taken downriver to Vila Nova de Gaia for further maturing.
During the harvest, visitors can see the grapes being received at the winery and port being made in the wine presses. At other times of the year, a short film shows the winery in operation, as well as traditional treading at other Symington family vineyards.
Quinta do Bomfim is the birthplace of two of the 21st century’s most famous ports: Dow’s 2007 Vintage Port, the only Vintage Port made this century to have been awarded a perfect 100 Points by the Wine Spectator, as well as Dow’s 2011 Vintage Port which was nominated the N°1 Wine in the World, in 2014, by the same influential publication.