The Wine: Humus Branco Lma16 2016

This orange wine from southwestern Portugal is nothing short of incredible. Humus Branco Lma16 is made naturally from Arinto and Fernão Pires native grape varietals grown organically. The grapes are hand harvested, carefully selected and pressed softly. The must ferments with wild yeast in small oak barrels. Nothing is added to the wine, which is bottled unfined and unfiltered. This is a no added sulfites vegan wine redolent of dry fruit, spices, and citrus; the palate is incredibly elegant.

The Producer: Encosta da Quinta

Encosta da Quinta, Quinta do Paço, is a family-owned estate of about 20 hectares located in Alvorninha, near Óbidos, between the Atlantic Ocean and Serra dos Candeeiros, southwestern Portugal. Rodrigo Felipe is the family winemaker, working the 10 hectares of the estate planted with vineyards and producing wine under the label Humus. The estate is certified organic and Rodrigo makes his wines naturally.

The Region: Óbidos

Óbidos is a Denominação de Origem Controlada (DOC) located in the wider Lisboa wine region, southwestern Portugal. The area is at around 150-200 meters above sea level, squeezed between the Atlantic Ocean and the Serra dos Candeeiros range. The climate is mostly maritime, with cool temperatures and good aeration – a steady but mild breeze from the Atlantic Ocean. The main soil formations are calcareous and limestone with clay. Combined with the climate the result is a long ripening season, great for grapes’ acidity level.