Paulo Machado was born and raised in the Azores, an archipelago marking half way point between the old world and the new. Having worked with the vineyards his entire life, in 1998 he started planting his own vineyards on the southern coast in São Mateus. After co-founding the Azores Wine Company with acclaimed viticulturist Antonio Maçanita, Paulo decided it was time to focus on his own vines and make the wines he feels best represent the island. And we're happy he did, Insula Vinus makes some very exciting volcanic wines, with flinty minerality and depth. 

Pairing: Vongle, grilled seafood

Grapes: Arinto dos Açores & Verdelho 

Soil: Volcanic 

Viticulture: Converting to organic viticulture 

**Spectacular wine-growing region, consequently two historic vineyards in the island of Pico were classified as a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 2004.