Registrations open for Graham’s Blend Series Cocktail Competition
22/01/2026Registration is now open for the 5th edition of the Graham’s Blend Series Cocktail Competition, an international initiative that challenges bartenders from various countries to create cocktails using Port wine, with the global final scheduled for May 2026 in Porto.Graham’s Port, a historic Port wine brand belonging to Symington Family Estates, has announced the opening of registrations for the 5th edition of the Graham’s Blend Series Cocktail Competition, an initiative seeking to promote creativity and innovation in contemporary mixology through Port wine. The competition proposes a contemporary approach to this fortified wine, challenging bartenders and mixologists to develop original cocktails using Graham’s Blend Nº5 White and Graham’s Blend Nº12 Ruby Port wines.
The first phase of the competition is already underway, and Portuguese professionals can submit their applications until February 13, 2026, via the brand’s official website. Applications must include the name of the cocktail, a brief description of the creation, the detailed recipe, and a photograph.
Following the close of registrations, the competition will advance to the National Competitions, which will take place between February and April 2026. From this phase, eleven finalists will be selected by an international panel of expert judges to compete in the Global Final, scheduled for May 10 to 12, 2026, in Porto.
The international final will span three days and provide participants with an immersive experience in the universe of Graham’s, featuring activities in Vila Nova de Gaia and the Douro Valley, the birthplace of Port wine. The global winner will receive a cash prize of 2,000 euros, a stock of Graham’s Blend Nº5 and Blend Nº12, as well as an invitation to represent the brand in a dedicated Guest Shift.
According to Charlotte Symington, a fifth-generation member of the Symington family and Marketing Director at Graham’s, the competition has contributed to a new way of looking at Port wine, highlighting its versatility and its ability to engage with contemporary mixology, particularly among younger generations.
In addition to Portugal, national competitions will take place in the United Kingdom, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Germany, South Korea, the Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Iceland, Brazil, and Canada, reinforcing the international dimension of the initiative.
CVRA and AICEP join forces to boost exports
20/01/2026The Alentejo Regional Viticulture Commission (CVRA) and AICEP have launched the ‘Export as a Value Driver’ program, a strategic initiative marking the launch of the Alentejo Wines Strategic Plan 2026–2031 and which aims to double the region's exports by 2031.The Alentejo Regional Viticulture Commission (CVRA) and AICEP – Portuguese Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade have established a strategic partnership to strengthen the internationalization of Alentejo Wines, through training programs focused on structuring their presence in foreign markets, taking advantage of new opportunities, and increasing export competitiveness.
This initiative marks the start of the actions foreseen in the Alentejo Wines Strategic Plan 2026–2031, which defines as one of its main objectives the ambition to double the region’s exports over that period.
The program, named “Export as a Value Driver – CVRA & AICEP”, introduces a new approach from Alentejo to international markets, based on sustained growth, the qualification of the offer, and the creation of value. The program already began on January 13th, on the Rota dos Vinhos do Alentejo (Alentejo Wine Route), and targets wine producers and companies in the region with different levels of export maturity, ranging from operators in the initial phase of internationalization to companies with already consolidated experience.
According to Paulo Rios de Oliveira, Board Member at AICEP, “internationalization requires strategic vision, deep knowledge of the markets, and execution capacity”. The official highlights that, with this program, AICEP reinforces its commitment to supporting Alentejo producers in building a more structured, competitive, and sustainable value-generating international presence.
Luís Sequeira, President of the CVRA, also highlights the importance of the initiative in a context of growing demands in foreign markets. “Exports assert themselves as a critical axis of development for the Alentejo wine sector. This partnership reinforces internationalization as a strategic pillar, placing the region on a clear trajectory of international expansion and economic appreciation,” he states.
The program is based on a logic of continuous training, integrating practical training on exporting and access to international markets, analysis of the main global trends in the wine sector, sharing of best practices by experienced producers, and direct support from AICEP’s national and international network. This integrated approach aims to align the internationalization of Alentejo Wines with the long-term objectives defined in the Strategic Plan 2026–2031.
It is worth recalling that the Alentejo Wines Strategic Plan 2026–2031 results from an extensive and participatory process, establishing a clear ambition to project Alentejo as one of the great wine regions of the world, through a holistic approach that integrates wine, gastronomy, olive oil, culture, and territorial authenticity.
Currently, Alentejo leads the national market for certified wines, representing around 40% of the total sales value among the 14 Portuguese wine regions. With a vineyard area of 23.3 thousand hectares, about 30% of the region’s production is destined for export, with emphasis on markets such as Brazil, Switzerland, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Poland.
Lisbon hosts the 4th National Meeting of Wine Tourism Professionals to debate sustainability and innovation
20/01/2026The Iscte Executive Business Education, in Lisbon, hosts on January 29th the fourth edition of the National Meeting of Wine Tourism Professionals (ENPE), an event that brings together experts, companies, and institutional entities to discuss the future and challenges of a sector in strong growth.Organized with the aim of promoting training, networking, and the sharing of best practices, the meeting focuses this year on central themes such as the human factor in sustainability, digitalization, and the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the wine and tourism business.
The president of the Portuguese Association of Wine Tourism (APENO), Maria João de Almeida, highlights the importance of continuing this forum: “This meeting aims to continue the prestige that the event has already conquered, serving as an essential platform for professionals to reflect on the opportunities in a sector vital to the Portuguese economy.”
In turn, Carla Salsinha, president of the Regional Tourism Entity (ERT) of the Lisbon Region, highlights the role of the region in the national context. “Events like this are fundamental to consolidate Lisbon as a destination of excellence in wine tourism, integrating innovation and sustainability into our tourism offering.”
For José Crespo de Carvalho, president of Iscte Executive Education, the partnership with the sector is strategic. “By hosting the 4th ENPE, we reaffirm our role in training executives and promoting digital transformation and innovation in the Portuguese business fabric.”
The morning program includes panels dedicated to sustainability and digitalization. All panels are of extreme relevance and cover themes such as the presentation of support lines, analysis of success stories from Spain (Codorníu) and Argentina (Catena Zapata), as well as the presentation of the WineTourism App.
The official lunch of the meeting will take place at the I.Terrace restaurant, the rooftop restaurant located within Iscte Executive Education, providing a moment of socializing with a view over the city of Lisbon.
The afternoon period will be dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI) applied to Wine Tourism, with a session led by specialist Márcia Santos, who will address practical tools, productivity, and ethical challenges of this technology. The closing of the event will be in charge of the APENO Board of Directors, with the presentation of the conclusions and the association’s upcoming events.
For more information, visit the website via the link: https://tinyurl.com/mr3x5b9m
More information:
Vanda Lança Alves – PR Director APENO
apeno@enoturismodeportugal.pt
Tel. 960 481 009
CR&F marks 130 years with the launch of the XO Cask Strength brandy
17/01/2026In the year it celebrates 130 years of history, CR&F launches the XO Cask Strength, a rare and limited brandy, from a single cask from the Vinho Verde region and bottled in its purest form, without any alteration.CR&F has presented a new special edition to mark its 130-year history: the XO Cask Strength brandy, a limited edition of only 365 numbered bottles, from a single cask and bottled directly from the cask. This launch pays homage to know-how, mastery, and time, values that have defined the brand’s identity since 1895.
Discovered by the house’s oenologists during one of their selection journeys, this brandy had been reserved since 1980, awaiting the right moment to be revealed. Originating from the Vinho Verde region, it benefits from a terroir marked by a fresh, humid Atlantic climate and granitic soils, factors that contribute to delicate aromatic profiles, high acidity, and great complexity.
The CR&F XO Cask Strength presents itself as a pure and unaltered brandy, bottled in its most authentic expression. Visually, it reveals an amber-gold color with greenish reflections. On the nose, notes of sea breeze, bitter almond, and saline nuances stand out, wrapped in hints of iodine and salted caramel. On the palate, it is iodized and intense, with well-marked salted caramel, a long finish, and a harmonious integration of the wood.
The edition is also distinguished by its luxury presentation. The crystal bottle is housed in a wooden box, lined with sustainable leather, integrating historical elements of the brand such as the seal, the cord, the signature of the three founders, and the old CR&F logo, where the dragon—a symbol of strength and tradition—stands out. Each box also includes a fragment of the very cask where the brandy aged, transformed into a numbered piece, reinforcing the exclusive character of the edition.
This launch is part of the celebrations for CR&F’s 130th anniversary, marked under the motto “Made with time. Lived with memories.”, underlining the brand’s connection to history and the Portuguese families that helped build its legacy. Currently integrated into the João Portugal Ramos Group, CR&F continues to establish itself as a reference in the brandy universe, with a prestigious position in the national and international market.
Quinta do Bomfim enters TOP 50 Best Wineries and ranks in TOP 100 World’s Best Vineyards
15/01/2026Quinta do Bomfim, from Symington Family Estates, has been distinguished for the first time in the TOP 50 Best Wineries, promoted by Forbes magazine, and has been included in the TOP 100 World's Best Vineyards, reinforcing the international recognition of the Douro's winemaking heritage and the continuous management of the Symington family.Quinta do Bomfim, a property of Symington Family Estates located in the heart of the Douro, has recently been distinguished in two international benchmark rankings in the wine and wine tourism sector. The property makes its debut in the TOP 50 Best Wineries, promoted by Forbes magazine, reaching the 31st position, and also ranks in the TOP 100 World’s Best Vineyards, where it occupies the 66th place.
This double recognition highlights not only the quality of the wines produced at Quinta do Bomfim but also the experience offered to visitors, positioning it as one of the most complete and distinctive wine tourism proposals in the Douro region. At Quinta do Bomfim, visitors can tour the vineyards and the winery, explore a small museum with objects and memories of the Symington family, as well as enjoy the gastronomic offerings of the estate’s restaurant, on a journey that intersects wine, history, and territory.
The World’s Best Vineyards competition is now one of the main international references for evaluating wine tourism experiences, taking into account criteria such as the quality of the visit, the beauty of the landscape, the history of the properties, and the connection to local culture. The TOP 50 Best Wineries distinguishes wineries that excel simultaneously in wine production and hospitality, valuing aspects such as innovation, sustainability, and the ability to create memorable experiences for visitors.
Among the award-winning experiences associated with the Symington family, the Vesúvio & Bomfim Experience stands out, recognized within the Best of Wine Tourism in the category of innovative experiences. This proposal invites visitors to discover two of the family’s most emblematic estates – Quinta do Vesúvio and Quinta do Bomfim – with a highlight being a train journey along the Douro Line, which combines landscape, tradition, and storytelling around the wine and the region’s cultural heritage.
These distinctions add to other national and international recognitions awarded to the Symington family’s properties, reinforcing the role of Quinta do Bomfim as an ambassador for Douro wine tourism and the group’s commitment to valuing the viticultural heritage, innovation, and long-term management that characterizes the family’s history in the Douro.
Quinta de Pancas completes portfolio with Special Selection Chardonnay 2024
12/01/2026Quinta de Pancas has presented the Special Selection Chardonnay 2024, the new wine that concludes the recent overhaul of the brand's portfolio, developed by WineStone, reinforcing the Atlantic identity and elegant profile of the wines from the Lisbon region.Quinta de Pancas, one of the historic estates in the Lisbon region, has just launched the Special Selection Chardonnay 2024, a wine that marks the completion of the renewal process of its portfolio, led by WineStone. This new launch underscores the Quinta’s strong connection to its terroir, where Atlantic influence plays a decisive role in the freshness and character of the wines.
The grapes that gave rise to this Chardonnay come from a 31-year-old vineyard planted in clay-limestone soils at about 250 meters of altitude, conditions that favor a balanced, fresh, and elegant expression of the variety. According to the company, these characteristics are reflected in a wine that combines complexity and regional identity.
With a bright greenish-citrine color, the Special Selection Chardonnay 2024 presents an elegant and complex aromatic profile, marked by notes of lemon, apple, and pineapple, complemented by mineral hints and subtle toasted and buttery nuances. These result from careful winemaking, with fermentation in French oak barrels and 10 months of aging on the lees, a process that contributes to the wine’s depth and balance.
On the palate, the wine reveals itself as structured and intense, with well-defined acidity, evident freshness, and a long, persistent finish, characteristics that reinforce the positioning of the Special Selection range within the universe of Quinta de Pancas wines.
For David Baverstock, chairman winemaker at WineStone, this launch represents more than just a novelty in the portfolio. He emphasizes that the Special Selection Chardonnay “perfectly expresses the identity of Pancas’s vineyards and terroir,” while consolidating a new chapter in the brand’s assertion, based on freshness, elegance, and complexity.
Casal Garcia marks the festive season with Fruitzy as a light alternative to traditional sparkling wines
10/01/2026Casal Garcia is once again highlighting the Fruitzy range during the festive season, a period that represents about 35% of the product's annual sales, establishing itself as a fruity and low-alcohol alternative to traditional sparkling wines in Christmas and New Year's celebrations.The Casal Garcia brand is marking the festive season with the Fruitzy range, a proposal that has been gaining relevance among Portuguese consumers and positions itself as a lighter alternative to traditional sparkling wines. The month of December represents about one-third of Casal Garcia Fruitzy’s annual sales, reflecting the growing preference for beverages with a fruity profile and lower alcohol content in celebration contexts.
According to the brand, the bottle format inspired by sparkling wines, combined with an appealing image and a fresh, accessible profile, contributes to the product’s suitability for new consumption habits. Currently with six flavors available, such as strawberry and passion fruit, Casal Garcia Fruitzy has consolidated its market presence in just three years, assuming leadership of the category among some of the main food retail operators.
According to Isabel Barbosa, Brand Manager for Casal Garcia, consumers are increasingly looking for fruity options with lower alcohol content, especially during social and celebratory moments. “Casal Garcia Fruitzy, with its light, fresh, and versatile profile, adapts well to sharing moments that bring different generations together at the table,” she states.
With the tagline “Low in alcohol. High in fruit.”, the Fruitzy range has an alcohol content of 5.5% and an aromatic profile aligned with current trends that favor refreshing, versatile beverages suitable for different consumption occasions throughout the year. Nevertheless, it is during Christmas and the end of the year that a significant sales peak occurs.
For Ana Sampaio, Marketing Director at Aveleda, the product’s profile, packaging, and versatility explain its transversal consumption throughout the year and among diverse audiences.
Altano celebrated 25 years with pre-launch of the new Reserva wine labels
08/01/2026Altano, the Symington family's first DOC Douro wine, presents the new visual identity for the Altano Reserva Branco and Tinto labels, reinforcing the connection between innovation, territory, and authenticity.The Altano brand, a pioneer among the Symington family’s DOC Douro wines, marks its 25th anniversary with the pre-launch of the new image for the Altano Reserva Branco and Tinto labels. The visual update includes a new bottle format and highlights the Scops Owl (Mocho-d’Orelhas) as a central element, now depicted in full flight and captured through watercolor, conveying elegance, movement, and dynamism.
The launch involves the Altano Reserva Branco 2023 and the Altano Reserva Tinto 2022. The white reveals complexity and unctuousness, combining the freshness of the Douro with the structure and aging potential from barrel aging, while the red presents a dense and structured profile, designed to evolve in the bottle and accompany more robust dishes, reflecting the region’s typical and modern expression.
“Altano’s 25th anniversary represents a very special milestone for us at Symington. This was our first DOC Douro wine and marks the beginning of a new stage in how we relate to this extraordinary region,” says Cláudia Monteiro, Brand Manager at Symington Family Estates, highlighting the brand’s commitment to authenticity, sustainability, and quality.
The new image was revealed at an exclusive dinner at DAM Lisboa, led by Chef Maurício Varela. The occasion also featured a collaboration with artist Jorge Colombo, known internationally for his illustrations for The New Yorker, who created a work inspired by the Douro and the spirit of Altano, reinforcing the brand’s artistic and singular character.
More than just a wine brand, Altano represents the contemporary Douro—sustainable, accessible, and inspiring—and the 25-year celebration is also a tribute to the long tradition of the Symington family, which for over 140 years has been dedicated to the production of Port and DOC Douro wines.
Leo d’Honor 2021: the return of a classic from Casa Ermelinda Freitas
06/01/2026Casa Ermelinda Freitas presents the new vintage of the iconic Leo d'Honor 2021, a rare wine produced only in exceptional years and considered the great emblem of Fernando Pó wines.At the beginning of November, Casa Ermelinda Freitas launched the latest vintage of its most iconic wine: Leo d’Honor 2021. True to its tradition of excellence, this legendary wine is made exclusively from Castelão grapes from old vines over 60 years old, carefully selected and only produced in truly exceptional years. Since the first edition in 1999, only eight vintages have reached the market: 1999, 2001, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2015 and now 2021.
The origin of Leo d’Honor’s graphic and symbolic identity dates back to the coat of arms of Fernando Pó, a unique wine-growing region historically linked to the family. The figure of the lion — inspired by the emblem adopted by the 16th-century navigator who gave the land its name — represents strength, character and prestige. The name ‘Leo d’Honor’, which also echoes the name ‘Leonor’, seeks to affirm this wine as the lion of honour of Fernando Pó, the ultimate expression of the region and the Castelão grape variety.
On tasting, Leo d’Honor 2021 reveals a deep and concentrated aroma, where the Castelão grape variety reaches its splendour with notes of black fruits, jams and spices. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, followed by 12 months in the bottle, it has a complex structure, firm and elegant tannins, and subtle nuances of tobacco and chocolate from the ageing in wood. The finish is persistent, harmonious and markedly sophisticated.
It is a wine designed for the table — ideal for accompanying stewed meat, game dishes, oven-roasted meats, strong cheeses or foie gras, where its depth and elegance are fully expressed.
Matriarca recently opened The Attic Bar and The Wine Academy in Porto
05/01/2026Matriarca, an emblematic space of the Symington family, recently inaugurated the full opening of its building, now offering a complete wine and gastronomic experience with the addition of The Attic Bar and The Wine Academy, joining the existing The Wine Bar, The Dining Room, and The Cellar Shop.The Attic Bar, located on the third floor, is dedicated to signature Port wine cocktails inspired by the life, travels, and rituals of the family matriarch, Beatriz Leitão Carvalhosa Atkinson. The menu features the Signature Collection, with cocktails at €12 and non-alcoholic options at €8, and the Recrafted Collection, which reimagines international classics using Port wine as a base. Among the proposals, highlights include the floral and delicate Lúcia, the complex Âmbar, and the exotic Ambrósia, alongside creations inspired by the seasons and personal family memories.
On the top floor, The Wine Academy offers a comprehensive program for beginners, hospitality professionals, and corporate groups. The academy provides introductory wine tasting courses, Port wine cocktail workshops, special tastings with rare wines, and paired dinners, as well as experiences tailored for companies, with groups of up to 11 people.
Vicky Symington, a member of the family’s fifth generation and wine tourism marketing manager, emphasized that the opening marks “a meeting point for all who value wine, gastronomy, and the know-how that spans generations.” Teresa Symington Caxide, head of the hospitality area, added that Matriarca aims “to demystify wine and create memorable moments that reflect the essence of our project.”
The recent opening of The Attic Bar and The Wine Academy is also an excellent example of urban wine tourism, demonstrating how it is possible to reconcile wine tradition with innovative experiences in the heart of the city of Porto. With this complete offering, Matriarca seeks to be a benchmark for wine tourism and wine innovation, attracting both wine enthusiasts and the general public interested in gastronomy, culture, and unique experiences.