CH’NG Poh Tiong
James Symington was 86
James Symington, a leading member of the Port trade, passed away earlier in the week. He was 86.
Born in Porto in 1934, he was part of the third generation of the Symington Family.
James Symington served in the King’s African Rifles from 1954-56 and was a fluent Swahili speaker.
In 1960 he joined the family business as a taster and blender and was responsible for Dow’s and Warre’s 1966 and 1970, and Graham’s 1970. These great Vintage Ports will keep the memory of James Symington alive for a very long time.
In 1992, together with Miguel Torres, Piero Antinori and Robert Drouhin, the senior statesmen of the wine industry founded Primum Familiae Vini. The grouping has since grown to 12 members worldwide. Domaine Clarence Dillon, proprietor of Chateau Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion, was the most recent inductee.
James Symington’s son Rupert is today Chief Executive Officer of Symington Family Estates.
