Azores Wine Company Arinto Dos Açores Solera

Azores Wine Company Arinto Dos Açores Solera is a striking Atlantic white wine from the remote volcanic island of Pico, 1,400 km west of Lisbon. Crafted entirely from the rare, indigenous Arinto dos Açores grape, it captures the raw energy of ocean winds, sea spray and black lava rock. Produced in tiny quantities and aged in a solera system, this non‑vintage cuvée offers a uniquely complex, saline profile that is almost impossible to find on the European mainland.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, this wine shows a pale, luminous straw color with green reflections, hinting at its brisk acidity and maritime freshness. The nose is immediately coastal and vibrant: fresh sea breeze, crushed seashells and a salty tang, layered with grapefruit zest, lemon peel, green apple and a hint of white flowers and chalk. On the palate it is taut, linear and intensely mineral, with a pronounced Atlantic salinity that feels almost tactile. Bright citrus—grapefruit and lime—meets green stone fruit, with a firm, mouthwatering acidity driving through the mid‑palate. The finish is long, saline and precise, leaving notes of wet stone, sea spray and citrus pith. Thanks to the solera aging and the natural structure of Arinto dos Açores, this wine has excellent aging potential over the next 5–8 years, gaining more savory complexity, smoky minerality and tertiary nuances while retaining its vibrant core.

Production
The vineyards for Arinto Dos Açores Solera sit on the dramatic volcanic slopes of Pico, where vines are planted in fissures of black basalt rock, protected by low stone walls and facing directly onto the Atlantic. Here, constant ocean breezes keep the vines healthy without the need for chemical intervention, while high humidity, strong sun and wide diurnal temperature shifts deliver grapes of remarkable tension and character. Once perfectly ripe, the 100% Arinto dos Açores grapes are harvested by hand and transported in small baskets to preserve their condition. Whole clusters are gently pressed and the must is fermented in small stainless steel tanks (approximately 100–600 L), preserving purity of fruit and the distinct volcanic‑maritime expression. Because yields are extremely low and the parcels are scattered along the tide‑line, this wine is produced as a Non‑Vintage cuvée and raised in a solera system, blending several harvests to build complexity and consistency. The final result is bottled in a strictly limited run of 3,333 individually numbered bottles.

Food & Serving
The pronounced salinity and racy acidity make this an outstanding partner for nearly all things from the sea. Pair it with simply pan‑fried or grilled cod, plaice or other firm white fish, as well as delicate seafood like scallops, crab, prawns and oysters. It shines alongside classic fruits de mer platters, grilled octopus, seafood pastas and fresh, herb‑led maritime salads. Serve well‑chilled at around 8–10°C. A brief 15–20 minutes in the glass (or a quick splash‑decant) allows the aromatics to open and the volcanic mineral notes to fully emerge, but extended decanting is not necessary.

Producer
Azores Wine Company is the flagship producer of the Azores archipelago and the estate most responsible for bringing these remote Atlantic wines to global attention. Founded to rescue and celebrate the region’s historic indigenous varieties—especially Arinto dos Açores—the winery farms some of the most dramatic and challenging vineyards in the world, carved into volcanic rock at the foot of Mount Pico and bordered by the open ocean. Working with minute yields and traditional stone‑walled plots, the team has become a benchmark for Atlantic, volcanic winemaking, earning international acclaim for the purity, precision and originality of their wines. Their work has not only revived an almost forgotten wine culture dating back to the 16th century, but also positioned Pico as one of the most exciting cool‑climate, ocean‑influenced terroirs in Portugal.