Primum Familiae Vini, which comprises twelve of the world’s most historic and lauded wine producers, has announced that Charles Symington is the new President of the invitation-only organisation.

Every year, the Primum Familiae Vini (PFV), which is an association comprising twelve of the most prominent families in the world of wine, appoints one of its members as its President. The role of the President is to oversee the association for the year and act as its official representative at events worldwide.

For 2024, Charles Symington of Symington Family Estates in Portugal (shown) is taking the helm at the organisation, succeeding Drouhin of Maison Joseph Drouhin in France as PFV President until June 2025.

Charles said, “I am extremely honoured to be taking over from my predecessors at Primum Familiae Vini and to support our twelve families who share the same values: the culture of excellence, love and respect for the earth and the terroir, and the powerful desire to remain family-run, independent businesses and transmit the heritage of our ancestors to the next generation. These are particularly exciting times at PFV.

“The last 12 months have been fruitful under Véronique Drouhin’s leadership, with major advances on climate change issues within the technical committee. Among initiatives that I would like to draw, I will very shortly be proposing that the technical committee focuses on the evaluation of Artificial Intelligence in viticulture and winemaking, a subject of the future that will enable the new generations within the 12 families to contribute their knowledge and share it with our entire group.”

Primum Familiae Vini is an invitation-only organisation of twelve of the world’s most historic and lauded wine producers. Their mission is to represent the highest level of excellence in the world of wine, to be synonymous with both exquisite quality and a steadfast commitment to sustainability, to blend family heritage and innovation, and to be aspirational through their vision and passion.

In addition, PFV has created a biennial €100,000 PFV Prize to support and recognise other multi-generational family companies worldwide.

The Twelve members of PFV

  • Marchesi Antinori (Tuscany, Italy)
  • Baron Philippe de Rothschild (Bordeaux, France)
  • Maison Joseph Drouhin (Burgundy, France)
  • Domaine Clarence Dillon (Bordeaux, France)
  • Egon Müller Scharzhof (Mosel, Germany)
  • Famille Hugel (Alsace, France)
  • Pol Roger (Champagne, France)
  • Famille Perrin (Rhône Valley, France)
  • Symington Family Estates (Portugal)
  • Tenuta San Guido (Tuscany, Italy)
  • Familia Torres (Catalonia, Spain)
  • Tempos Vega Sicilia (Ribera del Duero, Spain).

To learn more about PFV, its history and mission, please visit www.pfv.org.