Symington Family Estates – Altano

The red Douro Tinto is made from Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca, the white Douro Branco from Malvasia Fina, Viosinho, Rabigato and Moscatel Galego. Almost all of the grapes, except some for the Altano Branco, come from own vineyards and are fermented at the Quinta do Sol. Both are lovely wines for everyday drinking, offering attractive opportunities for both the specialized trade and by the glass programmes in restaurants given their excellent value for money.

Quinta do Ataíde is another project with two wines: the eponymous Quinta do Ataide and Vinha do Arco, both classified among the best dry red wines from the Duoro Valley. The thirty years old vines thrive in the Vilarica Valley in the northeastern part of the Duoro region, have been biologically farmed since 2002 and certified organic since 2006. While Quinta do Ataide is produced from Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca, Vinho do Arco is 100% Touriga Nacional.

In addition, the family also produces an Altano Branco Reserva, an Altano Bio and the special edition Altano Rewilding, whose sales contribute financial support to rewilding Portugal’s important conservation project in the greater Côa Valley.

350 years of experience

Yes, the region enjoys worldwide fame for its excellent ports, but why not produce dry wines in the Duoro Valley? The Symington family embarked on such an adventure in 1999 and was immediately successful. Indeed, each glass of Altano Reserva reveals their 350 years of tradition. Currently ten members of the Symington family are active in the company, handing down their knowledge from generation to generation.