Click here to download wine reviews and press articles about Quinta de Roriz.
João van Zeller and the Symington family separate amicably
João van Zeller and the Symington family advise that after seven years of successful association, they have decided, in the interest of both parties, to amicably dissolve their partnership.
João van Zeller and the Symington family would like to record their satisfaction at what has been achieved since 2000 by the partnership in terms of vineyard improvements at the Quinta and the building of a new winery for the DOC wines in one of the historic buildings of the estate. Furthermore, the partnership has created some exceptional Vintage Ports and DOC red wines at the Quinta and these have been successful introduced into world markets where they have achieved outstanding ratings by the leading commentators, consolidating the unique identity of the “Quinta de Roriz” brand.
Both João van Zeller and the Symington family consider that Quinta de Roriz is now in an excellent position to stand alone and to develop further its historical position as one of the Douro’s leading and legendary wine estates.
João van Zeller will announce today the composition of the new team who will, in future, manage Quinta de Roriz, and who will work closely with the Symington Family’s team until June 30th.
The Symington family would also like to express their best wishes for the future success of Quinta de Roriz.
Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal - 24th January, 2008
Click here to download
Quinta de Roriz one of the top 100 wineries of 2007
Wine & Spirits magazine chose Quinta de Roriz as one of the top 100 wineries of the world for year 2007, in its 21st Annual Buying Guide.
Quinta de Roriz's Douro DOC red wines and Quinta de Roriz Vintage Port were highly rated, as follows:
Quinta de Roriz Red Douro DOC Reserva 2002: 90
points
Prazo de Roriz Red Douro DOC 2005: 88 points
Quinta de Roriz Vintage Port 2004: 87 points
Click here to read full story.
Quinta de Roriz 2005 Vintage Port
João van Zeller and the Symington family are pleased to announce the release of their 2005 Vintage Port in the spring of 2007.
Only the very finest Port produced at the property in 2005 has been selected for bottling after a rigorous tasting process over many months. Just 750 cases 12/75cl of Roriz will be bottled, all of which will be released ‘En Primeur’.
The 2005 Vintage was an extraordinarily hot year. A dry 2004 autumn was followed by a winter with hardly any rain, and summer was extremely hot and equally dry. The very hot conditions experienced throughout the summer made it clear that a serious drought was being experienced. To put this in proportion, September was the eleventh consecutive month of below-average rainfall suffered in the Douro - no rain at all being registered in July and August and only 6mm of rain was registered in June. It was also the seventh consecutive month of higher-than-average temperatures. These two factors combined to ensure that 2005 was a very challenging year for the vines.
As has happened many times before, the characteristic schistous soils found in the Douro proved to be a very important ally to the vines, providing them with water in the midst of this period of prolonged drought.
The 2005 vintage at Quinta de Roriz began on the 7th September, the earliest starting date for many years. The reason for this early start was a result of the drought of the preceding months. Picking at Quinta de Roriz was therefore brought forward. In all, the harvest ran for a total of 20 days, finishing when the last grapes were picked on the morning of the 27th September. However, on four of these days picking was in fact suspended as a result of the heavy rainfall which, after ten months of waiting, ironically fell the night before picking started. That apart, the climate was otherwise excellent, staying warm and sunny for the rest of the month. The only slight exception was another unsettled day on the 9th, starting cold and overcast and bringing some more rain by lunchtime. Over the course of the vintage maximum temperatures averaged out at about 30º C during the height of the day, but dropped to a usefully low 15º or below most nights. This meant that the grapes generally arrived at the adega suitably cool.
The principal components of the Quinta de Roriz 2005 Vintage were from the old mixed vines or vinhas velhas and the Touriga Nacional. Tinta Barroca, Touriga Franca and Sousão also made significant contributions to the final blend.
