Entre Pedras "Entre Pedras" Arinto dos Açores '21

Entre Pedras is on Pico, one of the nine islands of the volcanic Açores archipelago, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and west of mainland Portugal. Pico is also one of only three Açores islands with DOC zones, though the conditions are difficult for viticulture, which is practiced on only a small fraction of the land. The island is dominated by a volcano, the highest point in Portugal, at 2,300 meters (7,500 feet) above sea level.

Protecting Pico’s vineyards from sea winds and salt spray are small walls formed from black volcanic stone; the small, soilless plots are locally called currais. This generations-old adaptation of viticultural practices to the remote, challenging environment was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004—what a testament to human ingenuity and determination as well as to the significance of wine!

The Entre Pedras project began in 2017, when André and his father planted the first vines—1.3 hectares of Arinto dos Açores and 0.15 hectares of Verdelho. A few years later, André and Ricardo decided to use their shared passion for viticulture to establish a new project. The first wine—a mere 500 bottles of Arinto dos Açores—was aged in a lava cave beneath their vineyard. The wines are made with native yeasts and minimal intervention, and according to the conditions that shape each vintage.

“Entre Pedras” is a blend of 90% Arinto dos Açores from vines ranging in age from 40 to 80 years old, and 10% Terrantez do Pico, Verdelho, and Boal. About three-fourths of the wine is matured in stainless steel tanks on the lees for 9 months, and the remainder is matured in used 500-liter barrels for six months. 13% ABV.

The wine offers notes of lemon and orange zest, green melon, apricot, almond, beeswax, bread dough, lily, and chamomile. Bone dry and medium bodied on the palate, with elevated acidity. Vibrant and fresh, it’s an easy pairing for grilled seafood with herbs, salt cod, buttery scallops or lobster, and fresh, salty cheeses.