Gardunha Sul 'Gatafunho' Branco Beira Interior DO 2023

André Duque Lourenço is a man of experience. Having spent 15 years working alongside some of the most renowned winemakers in Portugal, he certainly is not lacking in knowledge or technique. What was in deficit, however, was the crafting of wines that spoke to his heartspace. That was remedied in 2021, with the creation of Gardunha Sul, his project of 2.5 hectares in Beira Baixa situated on the Spanish border, roughly halfway down Portugal. With the Gardunha mountain looming in the background, the valley’s soil composition is a medley of volcanic and soils intermixed with schist and clay. Producing about 12,000 bottles a year, André is focused and steadfast in his commitment to being a responsible steward of the land, working to research and preserve old grape varieties and practicing minimal intervention in the vineyard and beyond. Being a responsible steward of the land also includes being a good neighbor to its peoples - André pays growers he works with up to four times the market kilogram price, encouraging them to retain their old vines and conserve lower-yielding varieties in the ground. This stabilized income and economic security ensures that traditional farmers and their families, present and future, are able to stay in the region and maintain their rural economy. It’s all about supporting our local ecosystems, baby! This delightfully playful ‘Gatafunho’ is made of 70% arinto and 30% moscatel that is hand-harvested, destemmed, and crushed into stainless steel tank where the blend macerates on its skins for 10 days. A slippery saline streak snakes its way across the palate, enhancing the wine’s brightness and minerality - it’s damn near entrancing. Bright, yellow fruit and florals are a cheeky shoulder shimmy, dancing deftly alongside herbaceous notes of chervil and tarragon. It’s fun! We are in pursuit of more fun! (Probably why we snagged so much of this. C’mon, only 4,000 bottles were produced, can you blame us?) Sustainably grown, low-intervention/natural wine.