Type: White
Country of Origin: Portugal
Region: Madeira
Grapes: Caracol
Vintage: 2022
Style: Fresh & Dry White
Sweetness: Dry
Other: Organic (Non-Certified), Vegan, Vegetarian

Porto Santo is geologically one of the oldest islands of the Portuguese archipelago, formed 14 million years ago. The island is swept by strong Atlantic winds, so vines are trained close to the ground and protected by low stone walls or reed fences. The maritime character is apparent in the wine, with saline notes on the nose and a fresh, zesty finish.

Farming is traditional, the vineyards aren’t certified but the approach is practicing organic. Weeding is done by hand with hoes, only copper and sulphur are used for disease prevention.

The grapes are hand harvested, placed in a cold truck and transported by boat to the island of Madeira, as winemaking isn’t allowed on Porto Santo. On arrival the grapes are whole bunch pressed in three separate fractions into refrigerated tanks and left to settle overnight. The following day the first and second press fractions are racked to stainless steel vats, where they ferment with wild yeasts. The wine ages for 3 months on lees in 250 and 1000 litre steel tanks before blending and bottling after a light filtration.