Symington Family Estates, owner of some of the world’s leading Port companies including Graham’s, Cockburn’s, Dow’s, and Warre’s, are the foremost producers of premium quality Ports as well as the largest owners of vineyards in the Douro with over 1000 hectares in the finest districts. Since 2000, the Symington family has been amongst a new generation of winemakers producing red and white wines in the Douro region with Quinta do Vesuvio, Altano, and Chryseia (a joint venture with the Prats family).
The Symington Family Estates is set to mark its presence in Indonesia. Representing a family heritage, Johnny Symington, Chairman and Joint Managing Director of the Symington Family Estates, aims to explore the Indonesian market, recognizing the nation as the leading consumer of Cockburn’s Port in Asia. This strategic move underscores the family’s commitment to understanding and enhancing its presence in its thriving market.
Cockburn’s Port, a flagship product of the Symington Family Estates, will take center stage during Johnny’s visit to one of their prominent market in Southeast Asia. Cockburn’s Port have always been a strong presence among port wine category where the value of winemaking tradition and consistent authentic flavors combined.
Symington-owned Cockburn’s Ports are now available for purchase at the Red&White Shops and online at minuman.com
JOHN ANDREW DOUGLAS SYMINGTON, MBE
BIOGRAPHY
Johnny Symington is Chairman and Joint Managing Director of Symington Family Estates which owns some of the world’s leading Port companies including Graham’s, Cockburn’s, Dow’s and Warre’s. The family are the foremost producers of premium quality Ports as well as being the largest owners of vineyards in the Douro with over 1000 hectares in the finest districts. Since 2000 the Symington family have been amongst a new generation of wine makers producing red and white wines in the Douro region with Quinta do Vesuvio, Altano and Chryseia (a joint venture with the Prats family).
Johnny is on the Board of John E. Fells & Sons, one of the UK’s leading importers of premium wines and is Chairman of Portfolio Vinhos, the leading premium wine distributor in Portugal.
The eldest son of Ian and Cynthia Symington, Johnny was born in 1960 in Oporto, becoming one of the fourth generations of Symingtons raised in the Port trade, although his ancestry in Port dates back more than 3 centuries and 13 generations to 1652 through his great-grandmother, Beatriz Atkinson. He was educated at the Oporto British School followed by Downside School in Somerset, England.
After school, Johnny joined Smiths Industries Plc and did his Higher National Diploma in Engineering followed by a four year Honours Degree in Business Studies at West London University.
Johnny joined Portex Ltd (the Medical Division of Smiths Industries Plc) and for four years was Sales Manager responsible for the Middle East, Far East, Caribbean, Eastern and South Africa, and spent six months living in South Africa setting up their distribution arm.
In 1985 Johnny returned to Oporto to join the family Port business. He was subsequently appointed Group Commercial Director and in 1994 was appointed Joint Managing Director.
Johnny is a Liveryman in the Vintners Company and is a Freeman of the City of London. He is a member of the Factory House in Oporto where he was Treasurer (President) on two occasions.
Johnny was the Honorary British Consul in Porto from 2005 to 2013 and was honoured by Her Majesty The Queen with an MBE for his services to the community in Northern Portugal.
Johnny Symington lives in Portugal with his wife Helen and they have three children (William, Victoria and Thomas). As well as being Joint Managing Director of his family business, Johnny also farms his own vineyard in the Douro valley.