Paraiso Natural is a micro-project between New York based Brits, Liz Mckiver and Richard Barnett, and their Portuguese friends, winemakers Miguel and Leli Viseu. High in the mountains of Ponte de Lima and nestled in the tiny village of Paraiso, a single vineyard of Loureiro grows at 300 meters elevation. Very few vines are planted at such high elevation, even less surrounded by a completely natural environment. Only 20km off the coast, the vines are constantly touched by the ocean's breeze and are grown organically.
The grapes are direct-pressed and ferment in stainless steel tanks. The wine then ages 25% in clay tinajas, 25% on old oak barrels and 50% in stainless steel for as long as deemed necesarry. The wine is unfined, unfiltered and no SO2 is added at any point including bottling.
