Prats & Symington

Prats & Symington was established in 1999 as a collaboration between two of Europe's most distinguished wine families. The Symington family has produced Port since 1882 and brings deep knowledge of the Douro Valley, its vineyards, and its indigenous grapes. Bruno Prats, former CEO of Château Cos d'Estournel in Bordeaux, contributes a classical French winemaking perspective. The founding idea was straightforward: apply the precision and structural philosophy of Bordeaux to the powerful, indigenous varieties that had long been destined for Port production.

• Venture founded 1999; first vintage released was Chryseia 2000
• Symington family brings Port expertise dating to 1882
• Bruno Prats contributed Bordeaux winemaking philosophy from Cos d'Estournel
• Wines are classified under Douro DOC as premium dry reds

The partnership owns two estates in the Cima Corgo subregion of the Douro. Quinta de Roriz is the larger holding at 42 hectares and serves as the production base for all wines. The estate has a long history, with records dating to 1565. Its schist soils contain notable traces of tin and gold in the rocky outcrops. Quinta da Perdiz contributes an additional 23 hectares. Elevations across the estates range from approximately 410 to 1,475 feet (125 to 450 meters), providing the altitude variation that moderates the Douro's intense summer heat.

• Quinta de Roriz: 42 hectares, dates to 1565, winery located here
• Quinta da Perdiz: 23 hectares, also in Cima Corgo
• Schist (slate) soils across both estates; Roriz has tin and gold traces
• Elevation range of 410 to 1,475 feet moderates summer temperatures

The vineyards are planted to the classic Douro red varieties: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Barroca. These grapes had historically supplied Port production, but Prats & Symington redirects them into dry table wines. The winemaking approach applies Bordeaux methods, prioritizing structure, balance, and age-worthiness. The climate is maritime, with hot summers and cool, wet winters, which the elevated vineyard sites help to temper.

• Key varieties: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca
• Grapes traditionally used for Port, repurposed for dry red table wine
• Bordeaux winemaking techniques applied throughout production
• Maritime climate with hot summers and cool, wet winters

Prats & Symington produces four principal wines. Chryseia is the flagship, a premium Douro red that earned widespread acclaim from its inaugural 2000 vintage. It holds the distinction of being the first Portuguese non-fortified wine to appear in the Wine Spectator Top 100 and has done so three times, including a #3 ranking in 2014. Post Scriptum de Chryseia serves as the second wine, offering a more accessible entry point to the same winemaking philosophy. Prazo de Roriz represents the approachable, everyday tier. Quinta de Roriz Vintage Port rounds out the portfolio, connecting the operation to the region's fortified wine heritage.

• Chryseia: flagship premium red, first released 2000
• Post Scriptum de Chryseia: second wine, more accessible price point
• Prazo de Roriz: entry-level expression from the estate
• Quinta de Roriz Vintage Port: fortified wine connecting to Douro heritage
• Chryseia ranked #3 in Wine Spectator Top 100 in 2014