Soalheiro Germinar Loureiro

Germinar is a rare, single-vineyard expression of Loureiro from old vines over 30 years old, grown on the western foothills of Monte do Faro in Valença — a mountain that shelters Alvarinho from the Atlantic but opens the door for Loureiro, giving this wine a real sense of place. The tiny parcel produces low yields, but the fruit carries a distinctive floral aroma, marked acidity, and a concentration of mineral flavours beyond what's typical for the variety. There's a great story behind the bottle too — Germinar grew out of a social project Soalheiro runs with a grower-social worker who also uses the vineyard to help people with cognitive difficulties build confidence and professional skills through vine work, so you aren't just buying a wine, you're supporting something meaningful.