School of Port launches bootcamp for somms in the Douro

Next month will see the Symington Family Estate’s School of Port host the first edition of its Douro Somm Camp – an educational bootcamp for the winners of 13 national sommelier competitions across Europe.

The objective of the four-day event is to bring together some of the most promising European sommeliers for a rich learning experience in the Douro during the harvest. The participants will be given a unique opportunity to learn directly from those working in all areas of the port trade – from viticulturists to sales managers.

They will visit the Graham’s Port Lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia; the working modern winery at Dow’s Quinta do Bomfim near Pinhão; and the traditional foot treading at the magnificent Quinta do Vesúvio in the remote Douro Superior.

According to Symington Family Estate, the participants will enjoy tastings, masterclasses, lunches with spectacular Douro views, and dinners with special wines and ports. There will also be a few surprises as the bootcamp aims to create a mix of learning and truly memorable Douro moments.

There will be 13 sommeliers taking part from Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Poland, UK, Ukraine. This first Douro Somm Camp will take place from 11 to 14 September.

School of Port aims to establish Douro Somm Camp as a key annual fixture in the sommelier calendar, inviting the rising stars from national competitions every year to have a unique learning experience about port and the Douro.

Commenting on the initiative, Rob Symington, director of the Port business, and fifth generation family member, said, “We are thrilled to be launching School of Port’s first ever Douro Somm Camp. We have put together an exciting educational programme that will immerse these sommeliers in the Douro and deepen their relationship with port. Our aim is to give them an unforgettable experience and, at the same time, develop ambassadors for our beautiful region.”