João Tavares- Rufia Branco 2021

The vineyards are not certified organic, but we are farmed under organic and sustainable practices, such as use of copper and sulfur. Flowers and herbs such as chamomile act as fungus repellent. The winery is covered in photovoltaic cells; making us a net exporter of electricity and our wines carbon neutral.

Soil Type(s): Beyond the old granitic soils, this vineyard has also plots with even older origin due to marine sediments, from 500 million years ago, which originated shale clayey rocks soils.

Manually harvested in 15kg boxes. Spontaneous fermentation with ambient native yeasts in closed stainless steel tank for 10-12 days until dry. Temperature controlled with water from a natural sources on the vineyard. Naturally no malolactic fermentation because of high acid. 9 months on primary lees, racking once at 4 months. Unfiltered.

João will tell you all he needs to make wine is grapes, water to clean his equipment and a touch of sulfur at bottling. He rarely uses products in the vineyard, and when he does he only uses topical organic treatments. In today’s world, this is about as minimal as it gets. João isn’t following a natural wine trend. This is how he and his father have always done it. His wine is proof that a deliciously powerful wine can be naturally made, and this wine is a perfect example of the kind of wine João makes.

White fish, Oysters, Chicken stir fry, Beans, Tamales, Fish tacos

• Mexican, Portuguese, Peruvian, Indian, Thai, Cuban