Graham's Port

Established in 1820 by Scottish brothers William and John Graham in the Douro Valley of Portugal, Graham's has remained a pioneering force in the world of Port.

The roots of Graham's trace back to the early 19th century, a period marked by the widespread international recognition of Port wine. At the heart of this booming industry, the Graham brothers saw an opportunity to create Ports of unmatched quality and character. Their commitment to excellence was so deep that they even went so far as to invest in their own vineyards in the Douro, an unconventional move at the time, ensuring direct control over the quality of the grapes.

In 1890, the Grahams made a significant acquisition: Quinta dos Malvedos, a premier vineyard that became the backbone of their vintage Port production. This investment proved transformative, as the wines produced from this vineyard soon came to define the rich and complex style for which Graham's became renowned.

The Douro Valley, with its rugged terrain and unique microclimates, plays a crucial role in the character of Graham's Ports. The grapes, nurtured under the Iberian sun, cultivated in schistous soils and cooled by the winds from the Atlantic, carry a depth and intensity that is captured in every bottle.

Graham's commitment to tradition is evident in their wine-making methods. The grapes are often foot-trodden in traditional stone "lagares," a method that gently extracts flavours, tannins, and colours from the grape skins. This method, though labour-intensive, is believed to contribute significantly to the rich, velvety texture characteristic of their Ports.

Graham's offer a full gamut of styles, including:

Vintage Port: Produced only in exceptional years, these are powerful and robust wines, built to age for decades. Quinta dos Malvedos often forms the backbone of these vintages, lending them a distinctive identity.

Tawny Port: These are aged in wooden casks, resulting in their characteristic amber hue. Graham's Tawny Ports, especially the 10, 20, 30, and 40-year-olds, are celebrated for their complex nutty aromas and rich flavours.

Ruby and Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Port: These are fruit-forward wines, with the LBVs being bottled later than the standard Ruby, allowing for more extended ageing and greater complexity.

Single Quinta Vintage Port: These are produced from a single estate in years not declared as 'vintage' but still of high quality. They showcase the unique terroir of individual quintas.

Over the decades, Graham's has consistently received accolades for its wines, cementing its reputation as a producer of world-class Ports. It's not just about tradition; Graham's also continually innovates, balancing their time-honoured methods with modern technology and insights.

The Symington Family acquired Graham's in 1970. This family, with its deep roots in the Douro and a legacy in Port production spanning over a century, ensured that Graham's maintained its ethos of quality. Their stewardship has seen Graham's grow and evolve, all while retaining its core values.

For those travelling to Portugal, a visit to Graham's 1890 Lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia is essential. Overlooking the historic city of Porto and the Douro River, it offers spectacular views. Here, visitors can delve deep into the history of Graham's, explore its vast cellars, and indulge in tastings that span the range of their Ports. It's not just a journey through the world of wine but also a voyage back in time, tracing the rich history of the Douro, Port wine, and the legacy of the Graham family.

Graham's Port, with its two-century legacy, exemplifies the best of what the Douro Valley has to offer. It stands as a bridge between tradition and innovation, always honouring its past but never shying away from the future. Whether it's the intense and structured Vintage Ports or the nuanced and elegant Tawny Ports, Graham's offers a window into the soul of the Douro, one glass at a time.