| Region of production: | Douro |
| Winery Location: | Vila Nova de Gaia |
| Year Established: | 1784 |
Vineyard Holdings
- Quinta da Madalena: Madalena (4 ha): Grade A vineyard located on the Rio Torto in Cima Corgo. Madalena was historically a base for the Vintage Ports, along with the nearby Santa Madalena vineyard.
Top Wines Produced & Inaugural Vintages
- Quinta da Madalena: Produced as a Single Quinta in non-declared years and bottled and released after two years of wood aging. Inaugural vintage 1988.
- Vintage Ruby: Combination of old vine plots from Madalena and Vale Coelho. Approximately 1,000 cases produced.
- Traditional LBV: Bottled unfiltered after 5 to 13 years of aging.
Summary
Smith Woodhouse has a reputation as a house that consistently delivers great quality for value across its range of Ports. The house was founded by Lord Mayor of London Christopher Smith in 1784 and became Smith Woodhouse in 1818 when the Woodhouse brothers joined. After WWII, when many Port houses were faltering, the house was purchased by Graham’s and later passed to Symington through its purchase of Graham’s in 1970.
Style & Vinification Techniques
Smith Woodhouse was one of the first to produce unfiltered LBV Port, which it continues making today. The style leans toward a drier and more robust Port. Fruit is hand-harvested and crushed in lagares by robotic treading machines and by foot for the top-end wines. Wines rest until spring and then are transported to Vila Nova de Gaia for aging at the Port lodge.
Producer Website: Smith Woodhouse