Aphros - 2018 - Melissae

Architect, educator, sculptor, and advocate of the Waldorf educational movement, Vasco Croft founded his winery on the family estate after an unusual encounter with a Buddhist monk. This event, which Vasco describes as a personal meeting with Dionysus. In 2003, he decided to start a wine project in Casal do Paço, a semi-abandoned estate that has been in his family since the 17th century. 

Casal do Paço is now recognized as a model ecological winery committed to the preservation of its ecosystems that include not only vineyards but also entire forests of acacias, oaks, eucalyptus, and old trees, home to wild boars, foxes and eagles.

Aphros Melissae comes from a 20-hectare vineyard. The vines are cultivated using biodynamic agriculture with organic treatments and permaculture techniques, always seeking the perfect balance between plants, animals and humans. When the grapes reach optimum ripeness, they are harvested manually.