London tremendous wine service provider Berry Bros & Rudd (BBR) introduced final Friday (1 August) the appointment of Rob Symington, of Symington Household Estates (SFE) as its new UK managing director, efficient from September.
He’ll step down from his present place as co-CEO of the household firm – which he held since February 2025 alongside manufacturing director Charles Symington – whereas remaining non-executive director at SFE and the household’s majority-owned UK importer, Fells.
Rob Symington’s appointment consolidates the de facto partnership between SFE and BBR following the joint acquisition – with equal shares – of Hambledon Wine Property in 2023. Symington already served as chair of Hambledon, a place that he can even retain.
Symington will report on to CEO Emma Fox and can oversee gross sales, buyer technique and advertising within the UK. The brand new rent builds on BBR’s growth to the US, introduced in June, with Jamie Ritchie, previously of Sotheby’s, appointed managing director of worldwide and auctions, with oversight of enterprise within the US and Asia.
Quinta da Fonte de Souto, Portalegre, Alentejo | Courtesy of SFE
Learn tasting notes and scores for Symington Household Property’s newest tremendous wine releases right here
Continuity in change
Rob Symington’s departure, seven months after his appointment as co-CEO, brings the variety of relations concerned in SFE’ day by day operations all the way down to eight. They divide winemaking, operational and business tasks throughout 4 Port homes (Graham’s, Cockburn’s, Dow’s and Warre’s), 5 Douro wine manufacturers – Quinta do Vesúvio, Quinta do Ataíde, Altano, Prats & Symington (of Chryseia fame), and Vértice (certainly one of Portugal’s main glowing wines) – and their UK import enterprise Fells. SFE additionally produces wine at Quinta da Fonte Souto within the Alto Alentejo, Casa de Rodas in Monção & Melgaço, and holds a 50% stake in Hambledon, in partnership with BBR.
Fourth era Rupert Symington will add co-CEO tasks to his chairman place, whereas Charles stays as manufacturing director and co-CEO. In the meantime, 5 different members of the fifth era – Charlotte, Harry, Anthony, Vicky and Teresa – will step into new management roles inside their respective areas throughout advertising, gross sales and wine tourism, each at SFE and Fells. (The eighth household consultant, Hugh Symington, leads the household’s USA importer, Premium Port Wines, in San Francisco.)
‘Few family-owned firms on the planet have the extent of household involvement that we’re so lucky to have,’ stated Rupert Symington, following the announcement of Rob’s departure. ‘I’m very proud that 9 members of our household work alongside our distinctive colleagues, all of whom play an important function in delivering our long-term imaginative and prescient.’
The fourth and fifth era of the Symingtons, from left: Rupert, Teresa, Hugh, Charlotte, Johnny (retiring chairman), Charles, Anthony, Rob, Harry and Vicky | Courtesy of SFE
Millennial shift
The final decade has been certainly one of vital transformation and intriguing growth for SFE – to which Rob Symington was himself instrumental. After becoming a member of SFE in 2017, he spearheaded the consolidation of the corporate’s sustainability technique, resulting in SFE’s attainment of the B-Corp stamp in 2019 (the primary wine firm in Portugal to acquire the certification) and the discharge, in 2024, of the corporate’s first complete sustainability report. These are anchored by targeted initiatives such because the launch of Altano Rewilding, a Douro mix whose gross sales finance the character conservation non-profit Rewilding Portugal.
Non-fortified wine manufacturing has gathered tempo and recognition, each via the event of the Douro manufacturers and the profitable foray into different areas. As a part of a transfer to draw a brand new era to Port, SFE additionally revamped its fortified vary with merchandise similar to Graham’s Mix Collection and Cockburn’s White Heights and Ruby Soho (as a part of a relaunch and rebranding of Cockburn’s complete assortment) launched with extra informal consuming and mixology in thoughts.
Tourism and hospitality have been different key areas of improvement. Quinta do Bomfim noticed the opening of two eating places – Casa dos Ecos and Bomfim 1896, opened in 2020 and 2022 respectively – overseen by Michelin-starred chef Pedro Lemos; Quinta da Fonte Souto opened a brand new customer centre in 2021. And in June 2025, the personal members membership Matriarca opened its doorways at a three-storey townhouse within the coronary heart of Porto. The house is an extension of the net membership launched in 2023 and homes a restaurant, wine bar, cellar store, cocktail bar and wine academy.
Matriarca membership, Praça Carlos Alberto, Porto | Credit score: Martin Morell
‘It has been a privilege to assist lead our household enterprise and work with my household and colleagues throughout this thrilling chapter for Symington Household Estates,’ stated Symington in an official assertion launched by SFE. ‘Since I joined, we’ve expanded into three new wine areas [Alentejo, Vinho Verde and Hampshire], carried out a widespread innovation programme throughout our port manufacturers, made huge strides in wine tourism, and considerably raised sustainability requirements.’
His efforts – together with different fifth era representatives – have been instrumental in bringing SFE to the twenty first century with a recent, dynamic enchantment, able to transcending the corporate’s storied lineage. It’ll be fascinating to see what Rob brings to BBR whereas his fellow fifth era Symingtons will hopefully construct on the momentum at SFE.
