Symington donates 10th ambulance in wake of Douro fires

By Michelle Perrett

Published: 18 December, 2017

Port producer Symington Family Estates, has presented a new ambulance to the Sabrosa Volunteer Fire Brigade following the devastating fires in the region.

This is the tenth ambulance donated by the Symington family to fire services in the Douro region since 2007.

The fires, which took place in the region this summer, saw over 100 people die. The Sabrosa Fire Brigade is a local service that is fully made up of volunteers. They help not only help tackle the fires in the area but also provide local communities with vital emergency medical coverage.

The donation was made in recognition of the vital services the Sabrosa Fire Brigade, but also to help protect an area of great importance to Symington Family Estates.

Symington Family Estates own 1,024 hectares of vineyards in the Douro and of its near 500 employees, 40 per cent live and work in the region.

Symington is also major contributor to the local economy, annually purchasing grapes from several thousand growers, as well as other goods and services.

Paul Symington, chairman of Symington Family Estates, and company directors were joined by the head of Symington Viticulture, Pedro Leal da Costa, and Sr. Américo, the farm manager of Quinta da Cavadinha which is just a few kilometres from Sabrosa, to make the donation to the fire service.

The Symingtons have been Port producers for five generations since 1882.

The family company is a leading quality Port producer with companies such as Graham’s, Cockburn’s, Dow’s and Warre’s, as well as being the leading vineyard owner in the Douro Valley with 1 002 hectares (2,476 acres) of vines at 27 vineyards.

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