Introducing Matriarca: A Home for Wine Lovers

We are beyond thrilled to introduce ‘Matriarca’: a remarkable townhouse inspired by our original matriarch in Portugal, Beatriz Leitão Carvalhosa Atkinson.

Presenting the contemporary face of port and Portuguese wine, Matriarca seeks to reinvent the traditional members club format that port was known for with an eclectic three-storey townhouse that is open to all. Drawing inspiration from the design and different spaces within these historic clubs, Matriarca marks a bold new chapter for the port world with a range of opportunities for dining, learning, and discovering exceptional wines.

While the restaurant, wine bar, cellar shop, cocktail bar, and wine academy in this new townhouse are all open to the public, Matriarca also has a wine club offering that was launched online by the family in 2023 and gives members access to special wines and events. Looking over Porto’s historic Carlos Alberto Square, Matriarca and the entire experience across its different spaces has been carefully designed for a new generation of wine lovers.

Matriarca’s story dates to the late 19th century when Beatriz, whose family had ties to the very beginning of the port trade, married Andrew James Symington – the first of the family to settle in Portugal and start producing port.

Beatriz, who was both Portuguese and British, was well-known for the jovial dinners she would host, bringing people together over good food and wine. Now, five generations later, the Symington family is taking inspiration from these lively occasions with each space within Matriarca sharing Beatriz’s desire to make people feel at home.

The Wine Bar, located on the ground floor, is the ideal place for catching up with friends over a wine tasting and shared dishes, and ‘The Dining Room’ restaurant, warm and elegant, reflects the family’s joint heritage by bringing together the best of British and Portuguese cuisine through the vision of up-and-coming Porto chef, Pedro Lencastre Monteiro.

Featuring an unparalleled selection of Symington wines and ports, The Cellar Shop offers personalised recommendations from knowledgeable staff, and, in the coming months, the family will also open The Attic Bar, specialising in port cocktails, and adjoining Wine Academy that will offer courses, exclusive masterclasses, and creative workshops.

Symington Family Estates has been a B Corporation since 2019, and each space has been carefully shaped by renowned London-based designers, Thurstan — led by former European Design Director at Soho House, James Thurstan Waterworth. Thurstan have worked together with local artists and craftspeople to decorate each space using reclaimed, repurposed, and carefully restored furniture and materials — simultaneously honouring the past while embracing a more sustainable future.

“Having been in the works for several years, it is an enormous pleasure to finally welcome people to Matriarca. Inspired by Beatriz, we wanted each space within the townhouse to be warm and welcoming with the familiar sense of home. We wanted to build unique spaces that lend themselves to special moments between friends and family over fantastic food and wine.”

Vicky Symington (5th generation), Symington Family Estates’ Enotourism Marketing Manager

The Dining Room, The Wine Bar, and The Cellar Shop at Matriarca will open to the public on 20th June 2025, with The Attic Bar and Wine Academy following later in the year. For more information, please visit the Matriarca website.

Opening times:

The Wine Bar: Monday – Sunday, 12h - 24h

The Dining Room: Wednesday – Sunday, 19h30 - 22h30

The Cellar Shop: Monday – Sunday, 10h - 20h