Vasco Croft grew up in Lisbon, but spent his summers in the Lima region of Vinho Verde at a family owned farm. A lifelong interest in biodynamics informed his work when he took over the property in 2004, but it wasn’t until a chance bottle of wine shared with a Buddhist monk – whose name, sadly, we do not know – that Vasco turned his thoughts to wine. Aphros is among the first Biodynamic wineries in the rainy Vinho Verde region, and makes red and white wines that rise head and shoulders above the “traditional” big brand, spritzy style Vinho Verdes that fill the shelves at grocery stores. This wine is made from one of northern Portugal’s most important varieties, Loureiro. Aromas of kiss melon, lemongrass, lime, honeysuckle, and acacia fill out an unmistakable nose that could only have come from Vinho Verde. The palate is clean cut but more substantial than expected – thanks to three months stirring on the lees – with plenty of lemon, lime and pear fruit alongside spring flowers and salty minerality. Ideally served with seafood, but this is a wine that would be at home in nearly any setting.