In this episode of A Sommelier's Insight, we sit down with Harry Symington Symington Family Estates and Maria Boumpa, reigning UK Sommelier of the Year, to explore the vision behind, and the outcomes of Symington Family Estates' immersive learning programme known as Douro Somm Camp. For generations, the Symington family has been at the heart of Portugal’s wine story, stewarding iconic Port houses and championing the Douro’s transformation into one of the world’s most dynamic fine wine regions. Initially through their online School of Port programme and now via Douro Somm Camp, an initiative designed to deepen knowledge of the Douro Valley, its wines, and the people who shape them via immersive learning, the family is opening the doors of their vineyards, wineries, and historic lodges to sommeliers and wine professionals eager to understand the region from the inside out.Harry and Maria discuss how the programme blends viticulture, winemaking, gastronomy, sustainability, and Douro culture into an experience that goes far beyond a traditional winery visit. Participants spend time in the vineyards, taste across the family’s estates, and engage directly with the teams responsible for crafting some of Portugal’s most celebrated wines.We also explore the broader question of how immersive, place-based education is shaping the next generation of sommeliers, and why the Douro, with its dramatic landscapes, indigenous grape varieties, and centuries-old traditions, offers one of the most compelling classrooms in the wine world.For anyone passionate about Portuguese wine, sommelier education, or the future of wine storytelling, this conversation offers a fascinating glimpse into how the industry is investing in deeper knowledge and connection.Listen in as we journey into the Douro with Harry Symington and Maria Boumpa.

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