Paul Symington has been named as the recipient of the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Institute of Masters of Wine and the drinks business.
The award was presented to Paul at a ceremony at Vinexpo, Bordeaux recently, where members of the wine industry gathered to honour his lifelong contribution to the trade.
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognises an outstanding and inspirational figure in the world of wine whose enduring contribution spans a whole career. The honour has previously been presented to Robert Mondavi (2005), Marchese Piero Antinori (2007), Jean-Michel Cazes (2011) Baroness Philippine de Rothschild (2013), Hugh Johnson OBE (2015) and Miguel A Torres (2017).
At the celebratory lunch, the award was introduced by Patrick Schmitt MW, editor-in-chief of the drinks business and presented by Adrian Garforth MW, Chairman of the IMW.
On receiving his award Paul said, “I was honoured to be told that the IMW and the drinks business were giving me this award, as previous recipients are all people I respect immensely. I am absolutely delighted that our region’s unique vineyards and their two greatest wines, Port and Douro, should be recognised in this way.”
Adrian Garforth MW said:
