Bomfim welcomes Primum Familiae Vini
The first primum familiae vini technical meeting was recently held to discuss issues related to sustainable viticulture, with the main focus on climate change. In this property duriense, located in Pinhão and belonging to the Symington - who are part of this organization - were present representatives of 8 of the 12 prestigious producing families.
Primum Familiae Vini (PFV) is an organization made up of twelve of the world's most historic and emblematic wine producers. Its mission is to represent the highest standards of excellence in the world of wine; to be synonymous with exceptional quality combined with the concepts of sustainability; combine family legacy with innovation and inspire through your vision and passion. Marchesi Antinori (Tuscany), Baron Philippe de Rothschild (Bordeaux), Joseph Drouhin (Burgundy), Domaine Clarence Dillon (Bordeaux), Egon Müller Scharzhof (Mosla), Famille Hugel (Alsace Pol Roger (Champagne), Famille Perrin (Rhône Valley), Symington Family Estates (Portugal), Tenuta San Guido (Tuscany), Familia Torres (Spain) and Vega Sicilia (Ribera del Duero) are the 12 members of pfv.
Charles Symington, Production Director of Symington Family Estates and elected coordinator of the newly constituted Technical Committee of Primum Familiae Vini (PFV), was the main host of this two-day journey that took place at Quinta do Bomfim and focused mainly on the presentation of studies on the interaction and affinities between rootstocks and castes and, in particular, on drought resistance. Participants identified the need to continue and deepen research on intravarietal variability as a mechanism of resistance to abiotic stresses, i.e., negative impacts on the vineyard resulting from high temperatures and water scarcity.
Charles Symington and his viticulture and oenology teams also organized field visits for guests to learn about the vineyard frame on landings (hillside vineyard), drainage systems and the collection of varieties of Quinta do Bomfim, an ampelographic field with 29 varieties. They also visited the modern bomfim winery with the automatic pisa lagares, followed by a tasting of white wines and monovarietal reds produced by the Symingtons in the Douro and on its property in alentejo. The idea of these meetings is the sharing of technical knowledge to leverage improvements in viticulture and wine quality, in a rapidly evolving scenario.
The PFV association was established in 1991 with the central mission of promoting the traditions, ideals and values of family wine producers, in order to thrive for the benefit of future generations. Since then, associated families have collaborated on the path to a beneficial evolution for all.
From now on, the PFV Technical Committee will meet annually for sharing and discussing the ongoing research and development work of each member, for the benefit of all members and for the advancement of sustainable viticulture.
In Bomfim were present representatives of 8 of the 12 family producers that make up the PFV: Baron Philippe de Rothschild; Domaine Clarence Dillon (Château Haut-Brion); Torres family; Famille Perrin; Joseph Drouhin, Marchesi Antinori, Vega Sicilia, and the hosts, the Symington Family Estates.
