Dow's Port

Dow's is one of the most storied Port wine houses of the Douro Valley in northern Portugal, with a lineage that reaches back to 1798 when the Portuguese merchant Bruno da Silva travelled to London and began importing Portuguese wine. The modern firm took shape through a series of partnerships and mergers: Silva & Cosens was formed in 1862 by John da Silva and Frederick William Cosens, joined by George Warre in 1868, and in 1877 it merged with the smaller but highly regarded Dow & Co. The combined house adopted the name Dow's. With the tasting expertise of James R. Dow, the financial acumen of Edward da Silva and the winemaking drive of George Warre, Dow's quickly became a leading name in the Port trade. Since 1912, when Andrew James Symington became a partner, five generations of the Symington family have lived and worked at Dow's vineyards at Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira. The house is today part of Symington Family Estates, a private, family-owned group that is one of the largest landowners in the Douro. Dow's produces a wide range of Ports — from young Ruby and Tawny styles to aged Tawnies, Late Bottled Vintage and its flagship Vintage Ports — all marked by a distinctive, drier profile than many of its peers. Dow's is particularly celebrated for its Vintage Ports, which have earned some of the highest scores ever awarded to Port. The house's 2011 Vintage Port is noted as the only Vintage Port made this century to receive a perfect 100-point score. Its two Douro quintas, Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira, provide the backbone of its wines, and the brand is exported to markets around the world, with a strong presence in the United Kingdom, North America, Europe and Asia. Positioned at the premium end of the Port category, Dow's combines centuries of craft and tradition with a modern, quality-driven approach under Symington stewardship. It remains a benchmark name for collectors and Port enthusiasts, and its wines are regularly among the most sought-after Vintage Ports released each declared vintage.

The story of Dow's begins in 1798, when a Portuguese merchant named Bruno da Silva made the opposite journey to many of his contemporaries and travelled to London. There he began importing wine from Portugal and soon developed a fine reputation. During the Napoleonic Wars, when many port companies found themselves in difficult times, Bruno's was the only company whose transport was granted armed protection across the treacherous Bay of Biscay. In 1862, Bruno's son, John da Silva, went into partnership with Frederick William Cosens and together they established Silva & Cosens. The company flourished and, with its expansion, they were joined by George Warre in 1868. The Warre family had been involved in the port trade since its earliest years. A decade later, in 1877, Silva & Cosens merged with another leading port house, Dow & Co. Although a much smaller company, Dow & Co was highly regarded — particularly for its Vintage Ports — and it was decided that the two companies would adopt the name Dow's. With the experience and tasting expertise of James R. Dow, the financial nous of Edward da Silva, and the driving force of winemaker George Warre, Dow's quickly became one of the leading names in the port trade. Since 1912, when Andrew James Symington became a partner in Dow's, five generations of Symington winemakers have lived and worked at Dow's vineyards at Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira, producing many memorable wines including some of the highest ever awarded Vintage Ports. The house's 2011 Vintage Port is noted as the only Vintage Port made this century to receive a perfect 100-point score. Today Dow's is part of Symington Family Estates, a private family-owned group, and remains one of the great historic Port houses, family-owned for over two centuries.

• 2011

  Dow's 2011 Vintage Port is released and later noted as the only Vintage Port this century to receive a perfect 100-point score.

• 1912

  Andrew James Symington becomes a partner in Dow's; five generations of Symington winemakers follow.

• 1877

  Silva & Cosens merges with Dow & Co; the combined house adopts the name Dow's.

• 1868

  George Warre joins Silva & Cosens as the company expands.

• 1862

  John da Silva and Frederick William Cosens establish Silva & Cosens.

• 1798

  Bruno da Silva travels to London and begins importing Portuguese wine, founding the business that would become Dow's.

Premium, historic Port wine house known for drier-style Vintage Ports and family-owned craftsmanship.

• Dow's Vintage Port

  Flagship wine, declared in exceptional years, known for a drier profile and high critical acclaim.

• Dow's Quinta do Bomfim Vintage Port

  Single-quinta Vintage Port from the Bomfim estate.

• Dow's Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira Vintage Port

  Single-quinta Vintage Port from the Senhora da Ribeira estate.

• Dow's Late Bottled Vintage Port

  A ready-to-drink style aged longer in cask before bottling.

• Dow's Aged Tawny Ports

  Tawny Ports aged in cask for 10, 20, 30 or 40 years.

1. 1Home · Dow's Portdows-port.com
2. 2Story · Dow's Portdows-port.com
3. 3James R Dowwikidata.org