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Cockburn Port Winery, Port |
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| “The Luxury Food & Wine Tours Specialists” |
Cockburn Port Winery
Robert Cockburn first came to Portugal to fight in the Peninsular campaigns under Wellington. He was the brother of a very well-known Scottish law lord. When he returned to Oporto after the campaigns, he was inspired to create his own Port firm, which today is known as Cockburn Smithes. The Cockburns had a military tradition and many members of the family were in the British Navy, including Captain Dunlop who after marrying Miss Cockburn, went back to active duty and fought in the Crimean War. The Smithes joined the company in the 1850's and their descendants are still important in the company decisions today. Cockburns is known amongst the Portuguese growers as "Casa Smeet", as Cockburn just doesn't roll off the tongue as easily. Cockburn's is also linked to Martinez Gassiot, a famed ultra luxury Port firm founded in 1790 by an ambitious Spaniard, Sebastian Gonzales Martinez, who had gone to London to sell Port, Sherry and Cigars from Havana. John Peter Gassiot, an Englishman, joined forces with Mr. Martinez back in 1822. Both port houses were aquired by Harvey's Group in the 1960s Cockburn's first established its vineyard holdings in the steep, rugged beautiful hillsides of the Douro Superior. They own various Quintas on these spectacular hillsides including Quinta dos Canais and Quinta do Tua. Cockburn's has also pioneered viticulture on the flatter ground away from the river for high quality grapes used for the Cockburn's Special Reserve. Currently, Cockburn's is the only port house to have made a sizeable investment in this area. Cockburn's is also one of the thirteen members of the legendary Factory House, a private club in Oporto established for the "Gentleman" of the Port Trade, over 250 years ago. The lovely building was designed by John Whitehead, a scientist and mathematician who became famous for the weighty granite staircase he built, which has stood with no support since 1790! The Factory House still holds their traditional Wednesday Lunches, where guests can enjoy elegant Portuguese dishes served with top Ports (including Cockburn's) in the noble surroundings of this historic venue. |
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More Information on Port Wine Tours, Porto: If you are interested in this Port Wine Tour, contact us today for more information. This tour can also be adapted for bigger groups with a substantial discount. All of our tours are available year round upon request for your private group of minimum 2 people. If you would like us to customize a luxury gourmet tour for you, contact us with your requirements, and we can send you a free itinerary and quote with no obligations. We organize cooking packages and wine tours from 1 day, to weekends to longer food and wine discoveries throughout Spain, Portugal & Italy. Email us at: info@cellartours.com |
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Cockburn's is one of the classic Port Houses, established in 1815 in the beautiful |
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