Farming : Organic

Winemaking : Hand-Picked Grapes | Native Yeast Fermentation | 80 year-Old Vines | Unfined | Unfiltered | Vegan

Region : Lisboa, Portugal

Grape : Arinto | Fernao Pires | 30% Vital

Alcohol by Volume : 12.5%

Notes:

Humus Flui Branco is a white wine with aromas of ripe white fruits and herbaceous notes. On the palate it is wonderfully spicy with a hint of chamomile and a very pleasant texture.

Humus was founded in 1999 when Rodrigo Filipe took over his family land from his father. As is often the case, the farm was much more focused on polyculture when Rodrigo's grandfather tended to it in the 1960's. Today, the focus is exclusively on viticulture, with nine hectares of vines planted on the red clay and limestone slopes surrounding the property. Arinto, Fernão Pires, and Sauvignon Blanc are planted for whites, Touriga Nacional, Fernão Pires, Tinta Barroca, Castelão and Syrah for red.

Located a little less than an hour north of Lisbon, the farm feels almost otherworldly in its remoteness. The untamed grass growing freely between the rows gives the land lush energy and the deep red of the clay adds a whimsical element of color to the environs. Rodrigo has no neighbors, permitting him to freely work without chemicals and promote biodiversity within his own ecosystem. Humus' microclimate is particularly cool, often resulting in low alcohol wines for Portugal (between 11% and 12.5% on average).

The estate has been certified organic since 2006. Wine wise, Rodrigo tends to ferment his juices in stainless steel before aging them in barrel, though some wines stay in stainless and others see their entire vinification and aging in barrel. After many years of experimentation, Rodrigo has completely eliminated the use of sulfur in his winemaking since 2010, making him one of the only Portuguese producers currently working this way. All the wines are declassified to Wines of Portugal.