Despite the fact that there was no longer any family firm to apprentice himself to, Johnny Graham arrived in Oporto in 1973. He got a job as a trainee with Cockburn’s and for the next 8 years worked closely with the ex partner John Smithes in the tasting room, on the production side and in vineyard management. In 1980 at the age of 28 he was made a director. A bright future lay ahead but he wanted to be his own boss.

In the beginning, Churchill’s rented a lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia from Taylor’s but very soon bigger premises were required. With the Port trade in full expansion space was at a premium. Johnny bought three ruined lodges in Rua da Fonte Nova overlooking the river Douro. They have now been fully renovated.

Churchill’s has met with increasing success in the USA. With the projected growth in sales it became clear that the Company had to acquire some of is own vineyards to secure on going supply of quality Port. With the purchase of Quinta da Gricha and Quinta do Rio, both renowned Grade A vineyards in the premium Cima Corgo region of the Douro, Churchill’s is now in control from grape to bottle.

Vineyard Investment

Since the foundation of our Company on 1981, Churchill’s has always been an exclusive, independent family owned business specialising in Vintage Port and other premium quality Ports. Our business is growing but our philosophy continues to be the same and I would like to share with you some exciting new developments in our Company.

In order to consolidate our position and to guarantee the on-going premium quality of our Ports we have taken the decision to invest in top quality Vintage Port vineyards. We have recently bought two grade A quintas in the upper Douro region, Quinta da Gricha and Quinta do Rio, and rented a third, Quinta da Perdriz.

Quinta da Gricha is a 100 hectare estate situated with a commanding view on the south bank of the river Douro about five miles upriver from the village of Pinhao. The predominant grape varieties in order of importance are tinta roriz, touriga francesa, tinta barroca and touriga nacional. Having a northerly and relatively cool exposure, Gricha produces a Port with its own very distinctive and individual style. It has a very deep purple colour, an intense aroma of black fruits and a good solid tannic structure.

Quinta do Rio is a 20 hectare vineyard situated in the heart of the Rio Torto valley. The predominant grape varieties in order of importance are touriga francesa, tinta roriz and touriga nacional. South facing and with low lying terraces the vineyard has an extremely hot exposure. Rio produces a rich jammy style of Port with masses of concentrated fruit flavours.

Quinta da Perdriz is a 30 hectares vineyard situated alongside Rio. The terraces are also south facing but have a more open exposure and extend to a slightly higher altitude. Also grade A, the predominant grape varieties in order of importance are tinta roriz, touriga nacional and touriga francesa. Perdriz produces an aromatic Port with a great purity of fruit and with the same rich and jammy character to that of Rio.

The Ports from these new quintas are all very much fruit driven and will compliment the heavier and earthier style of wines that Churchill’s has been buying up till now from Quinta da Agua Alta. As these fruit driven qualities begin to influence the brand, they will, I believe, bring a more defined signature to the style of Churchill’s Port in the future

Johnny Graham, 20th March 2000