Dow's Port

Dow's is a Port wine brand associated with the Douro Valley of Portugal. Its official history traces the business's beginnings to 1798, when Portuguese merchant Bruno da Silva travelled to London and began importing wine from Portugal. The business developed a reputation in the wine trade. The Dow's name itself emerged later: in 1877, Silva & Cosens merged with the port house Dow & Co, and the combined business adopted the name Dow's. The brand focuses on Port wines, with Vintage Port central to its reputation. Its official site also describes a broader range of carefully crafted Ports, distinguished by a drier profile. The wines are associated with Douro vineyards at Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira. The company says that five generations of Symington winemakers have lived and worked at these vineyards since 1912, continuing the winegrowing and winemaking tradition there. Dow's presents itself as a family-owned house whose wines draw on accumulated winemaking experience and the Douro's terroir. Its official account emphasizes long-established craft, patience, and knowledge of the Port-making tradition. The brand remains active and promotes its wines through its official website. The supplied sources do not identify a current corporate parent, headquarters, or a detailed list of export markets.

The history presented by Dow's begins in 1798, when Bruno da Silva, a Portuguese merchant, travelled to London and started importing wine from Portugal. The official account says that he soon developed a fine reputation. During the Napoleonic wars, while many Port companies faced difficulties, Bruno's was the only company whose transport was granted armed protection across the Bay of Biscay. This early business is the origin story of the house, although the Dow's name was adopted later. In 1862, Bruno's son John da Silva entered into partnership with Frederick William Cosens, establishing Silva & Cosens. The company expanded, and George Warre joined in 1868. The Warre family had already been involved in the Port trade for many years. In 1877, Silva & Cosens merged with Dow & Co, a smaller but well-regarded Port house particularly known for its Vintage Ports. The combined company adopted the name Dow's. The official history credits the development of the house to the complementary contributions of James R. Dow, Edward da Silva, and winemaker George Warre. A later chapter began in 1912, when Andrew James Symington became a partner in Dow's. The brand says that five generations of Symington winemakers have since lived and worked at its Douro vineyards, including Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira. This continuity connects the modern brand to vineyard sites and family winemaking expertise in the Douro Valley. In the present, Dow's describes itself as family-owned and continues to make Port wines. Its public brand story foregrounds Vintage Port and a wider selection of carefully crafted Ports with a distinctive drier profile. The official homepage characterizes the wines as products of generations of experience and Douro terroir. The supplied material does not provide further details about corporate restructuring, current executives, or the precise corporate ownership structure.

• 1912

  Andrew James Symington becomes a partner

• 1877

  Merger creates the Dow's name

• 1868

  George Warre joins Silva & Cosens

• 1862

  Silva & Cosens is established

• 1798

  Bruno da Silva begins importing Portuguese wine in London

A heritage Port house emphasizing Vintage Port, a distinctive drier profile, family winemaking experience, and Douro Valley terroir.

• Vintage Port

  A central part of Dow's reputation; its history describes Dow & Co as particularly well regarded for Vintage Ports.

• Dow's Port range

  The brand describes a range of carefully crafted Ports with a distinctive drier profile.

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