Retirement of Manuel Rocha – taster and blender for 45 years

This week, we are celebrating the career of one of our longest-serving team members, Manuel Rocha, who has retired after 45 years at Symington.

Manuel joined the company in 1979, following in the footsteps of his grandfather and great uncle (twins Manuel and Joaquim Rocha, both joined in 1928), and great grandfather (Joaquim da Rocha Júnior, joined in 1904).

Alongside Peter Symington (3rd gen.), Manuel learned his trade in the Tasting Room, developing phenomenal tasting skills and learning to blend our ports in accordance with each house’s distinctive style.

Manuel has been integral to many of our most remarkable ports over the last four and a half decades, and when Peter retired in 2009, Manuel continued his work in the tasting room alongside Peter’s son and our current Head Winemaker, Charles (4th gen.).

Manuel's work has been truly invaluable and we would like to thank him for his dedication and wish him a very happy and healthy retirement.

Twins Manuel & Joaquim Rocha (Manuel's grandfather and great uncle) in the early 1950s