May 16: Paul Symington, Chairman of the Symington Family till he retired last year was named as the recipient of the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Institute of Masters of Wine and the drinks business and awarded at a Lunch on the first day of Vinexpo, writes Subhash Arora who had first met this member of the Primum Familiae Vini (PFV) in Mumbai during the premier group of 12 in 2007 and visited his cellars in Villa Nova de Gaia
The award was presented to Paul at a ceremony at Vinexpo, Bordeaux on 13 May 2019, the first day of the biennial event, where members of the wine industry gathered to honour his lifelong contribution to the trade. The Award and the Awardee was introduced by Patrick Schmitt MW, editor-in-chief of the drinks business and presented by Adrian Garforth MW, Chairman of the IMW.
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognises an outstanding and inspirational figure in the world of wine whose enduring contribution spans a whole career. The honour has previously been presented to Robert Mondavi (2005), Marchese Piero Antinori (2007), Jean-Michel Cazes (2011) Baroness Philippine de Rothschild (2013), Hugh Johnson OBE (2015) and Miguel A Torres (2017). Mondavi, Antinori, Baroness Rothschild, Torres and now Symington belong to the very prestigious Primum Familiae Vini (PFV). Mondavi had to withdraw when he sold his business to Constellation Brands in the early 2000’s.
Interestingly, he came to India during the visit of PFV in Mumbai when I met him at the Tasting at the Taj Hotel. I again met and interviewed him in Cascais at the MUST Fermenting Ideas Conference where he was the opening Speaker. I found him very humble and gentle and extremely passionate about the future and development of Douro Valley. For an interview with him, click
MUST Wine Summit: Future of Fortified Wines like Port
On receiving his award Paul said, “I was honoured to be told that the IMW and the drinks business were giving me this award, as previous recipients are all people I respect immensely. I am absolutely delighted that our region’s unique vineyards and their two greatest wines, Port and Douro, should be recognised in this way.”
Hubert de Billy of Famille Hugel, one of the members, and President of Primum Familiae Vini, said: “We are proud to count the Symington family among the five PFV members who have now received this important award. This is extraordinary international recognition of the family commitment to wine and to our vineyards that is the cornerstone of the PFV.”
Paul Symington may sound English but he was born in Oporto in 1953 to Portuguese parents. He was the 4th generation family member to join the 130-year old company in 1979. Symington Family Estates is one of the world's leading producers of premium port, and one of the top Portuguese wine producers. Paul retired as Chairman of Symington Family Estates in December last year, a position he held from 2003.
With a passion for reform on the regulatory system that governs the Douro, Paul has published various articles on the subject. He believes that this must be better adapted to the needs of the farmers, as well as allowing the region’s wines to compete more effectively in world markets.
Many congratulations to Symington Family for the prestigious recognition.
Subhash Arora
If you Like this article please click on the Like button