In Sousa, in the Vinho Verde wine region of northwestern Portugal, we find our friend Fernando Paiva, one of the pioneers of biodynamic agriculture in the country. As a teacher who opted to return to the land, Fernando has been following this philosophy of balance in the fields since 2001, drawing his inspiration mainly from French winemakers. Between the ocean and the mountains, the green valleys of Vinho Verde have to deal with high summer heat and high humidity. The granite soils, with good drainage, help retain the acidity in the grapes.