Aphros - 'Phaunus' - Vinhão, Alvarelhão - NW, PT - 2019

A blend of 50% Vinhão and 50% Alvarelhão (known as Brancellao across the border in Galicia) macerated very briefly on the skins whose primary fermentation occurs partially in tank and finishes in bottle (ancestral-method sparkling). No added yeast or sugar. Disgorged after 5 months sur lie and bottled without filtration or stabilization. --- Aphros winery is the brainchild of Lisbon architect Vasco Croft who decided to explore his passion for wine in a XVII century family estate located in the Vinho Verde Region. Interested in Steiner’s philosophy since his youth, and having led the Waldorf education movement in Portugal for many years, he naturally follows the path of biodynamics. Mountain horses, sheep, bees and special water cascades are part of the farm life. The vines, carefully managed through cover crops, are treated with home made plant extracts. Being made from brandy, these preparations have their origin in the same vines they are destined to treat. The wines, ranging from still to classic method sparkling and Pet Nats, are based on local varieties Loureiro and Vinhão and made with low intervention protocols, using only indigenous yeasts and a minimum of sulphites. They have achieved worldwide recognition and are distributed in over 20 countries in all continents. In 2015 Vasco opened two new cellars; one contemporary cellar dedicated to the classical range of wines and a medieval cellar for the production of artisanal wines in amphorae without the use of electricity, under the brand Phaunus.