Symington Family Estates launches wine club in the UK

Following its launch for members in Portugal in October, Symington​ Family Estates​ is now looking to open its Matriarca wine club to patrons in the UK.

For £750 a year, the first 100 founding members will receive a curated case biannually of premium wines and ​P​orts from the family’s portfolio, as well as invitations to events and wine tastings in the UK.

Members will also be able to access the online Matriarca wine shop, stocking older vintages, limited editions, and recent releases not readily available elsewhere in the UK.

The five-generation family company created the wine club in honour of its original matriarch, half-Portuguese and half-British Beatriz Leitão Carvalhosa Atkinson, who married the first Symington and was known for hosting gatherings centred around food and wine.

Charlotte Symington, Port ​m​arketing manager and 5th generation family member​,​ said​:​ “We want to create a small, dynamic community of people from Portugal and the UK — the two countries that represent my family — to celebrate the very best of Portugal.”

As part of this community, members will be invited on annual visits to a chosen estate belonging to the family, who are known for producing premium wines in three different regions across Portugal — the Douro, Alentejo and Vinho Verde.

To celebrate the launch of Matriarca in October, the family hosted a private visit and lunch on their vineyard for members in the Douro Valley.

A release put out by the family said the Matriarca club hopes to “create a community of like-minded people who share a love of Portuguese wine, food and warm lifestyle”.

Symington Family Estates will provide members with discounts at its restaurants, cellars and wineries, as well as a selection of businesses belonging to friends of the family, the company has said.

Registration will end once the 100th member has joined.