Crowning a sunlit hillside, on the Northern coast of Portugal, is a centuries-old winery that has given life to an thrilling mixture of flavors. The standard Niepoort family of vintners has merged the worlds of tea and wine in a novel mix of tastes. Award-winning wine growers since 1842, they’ve created Pipachá (“pipa” means barrel in Portuguese, and “chá” interprets to tea) by storing tea leaves in finely aged Port wine barrels. This artistic course of infuses the leaves with a palatable allusion to port wine. Pipachá has discovered a wholesome area of interest in each the tea and wine communities of Portugal, Germany and England.
Nina Gruntkowski, the spouse of Dirk Niepoort, is a passionate tea advocate and inventive drive behind Pipachá. Her teas have gone from eccentric facet challenge to self-sustaining model. Pipachá is exclusive amongst them, a seed of an concept grown out of the Niepoorts viewing of a set of vintage tea containers whereas touring in Asia. Gruntkowski’s response was rapid, “I do know tea imbibes lots of aromas, and an empty port wine cask retains some moisture and a incredible aroma after years of use. The idea was easy – why not join these two great worlds of taste.” Thus, Pipachá was born.
A Mixture of Tea Leaves, Oak Barrels
Upon returning to Portugal, the Niepoorts rapidly went about turning Gruntkowski’s concept right into a actuality. Tucked amongst centuries-old port casks they put in a contemporary local weather chamber and different requirements to check their concept. The idea in regards to the mixture of tea leaves and oak barrels was rapidly confirmed appropriate. “Over a long time the wooden in our casks have absorbed the port wine taste, and we retailer the tea leaves in these casks for six months. We selected Oolong leaves as a result of they have already got a little bit of a fruity style profile. It is usually lighter compared to the stronger black tea, so it opens an area for the port wine essence.”
The casks are turned frequently and leaves are faraway from casks periodically, by hand, to air out after which reintroduce the leaves contained in the barrel guaranteeing even infusion. As they’ve grown, the Niepoorts nonetheless guarantee their manufacturing processes stay natural with all leaves harvested manually. It’s a demand of Gruntkowski, who views the crops as an extension of her values and household. The challenge has morphed from a small experiment, in a chilly nook of their backyard, to dedicating a bit of their invaluable wine acreage to the cultivation of tea crops.
12,000 Tea Crops on 10 Acres of Land
After seven years of importing leaves, Gruntkowski and her husband started the method of making a industrial tea plantation in Europe; making Pipachá a very Portuguese product in 2019. Initially, 200 shrubs had been imported from Miyazaki, positioned on probably the most southern island of Japan (chosen for the same local weather to Portugal), as an preliminary trial. Over the following 5 years, it has scaled up significantly – 12,000 crops on 10 acres of land, to help their rising line of teas. “For Pipachá, we chosen semi-oxidized natural Oolong tea for harboring the flavors of dried fruit, plus it has a fragile tannin that positive aspects a second life inside our casks.“
Utilizing domestically grown tea was an vital mile marker and one which got here with a studying curve. “We had been skeptical, not understanding if the crops may survive a lot much less thrive in our local weather. The poor crops had been subjected to chilly, moist, wind and warmth to check sustainability. It was not straightforward on the crops. First we rooted alongside the Douro river, but it surely was too arid and the soil barely acidic in nature. Ultimately, we discovered excellent situations additional North and nearer to the ocean in Fornelo.”
It was not a journey the Niepoorts may have made alone. Gruntkowski went to nice lengths mentioning an infinite debt of gratitude they need to the Morimoto household of Japan. The Morimotos took on the function of mentor, visiting Portugal yearly, advising Gruntkowski on attainable pitfalls earlier than and through harvesting. In addition to educating them on different seasonal calls for. They introduced a blueprint of success that has elevated Japan to the forefront of tea tradition. The Morimoto household shared half a century of expertise; in return, the Niepoorts distribute natural teas of the Morimoto property (and 5 different small family-owned producers) with their service provider contacts in Europe.
An Eco-Pleasant Firm
The Niepoorts are pleased with their standing as an eco-friendly firm. Every part is designed with minimal environmental impression and ease in thoughts. Working in accordance with natural and biodynamic rules, no heavy equipment is used except for rolling and drying functions. Completely no pesticides or chemical substances are utilized in any stage of manufacturing. All teas are vacuum packed, permitting them to keep up peak taste whereas guaranteeing a bigger variety of packages per transport container to scale back their carbon footprint. At any time when attainable they recycle packaging supplies and have obtained natural certification by the European Union.
Regardless of hailing from an extended line of vintners, Niepoort appreciates that his wine casks solely play a supporting function to the tea. “You will need to us that the tea shouldn’t be overpowered by the wine. It’s firstly tea, our leaves retain their taste and shouldn’t combat for the palate. Our mixing and storage course of ensures this, working collectively for the correct steadiness. Pipachá is about coexistence and unity.” Niepoort’s sentiment is a good encapsulation of their tea, as pipachá appears an ideal mix of European and Asian tradition.
Pipachá shouldn’t be extensively obtainable, principally offered by specialty tea distributors in Europe and the UK, and it’s finest sampled at a tea store or restaurant in Portugal. Home blends (except for pipachá) are hand-sold to eating places by Gruntkowski, who supplies tea variants specifically coordinated for his or her menu. The easiest way to maintain up with the most recent developments, resembling plantation excursions, tasting occasions, and different tea impressed ideas is to go to the Niepoort’s Fb web page for his or her teas: Facebook.com/ChaCameliaTeas.
On their Fb web page, additionally, you will discover a hyperlink to the Niepoort’s tea firm web site (Chacamelia.com), which comprises the whole listing of eating places and companies that carry their vary of native and imported teas. The web site supplies particulars on their complete line of teas, in addition to equipment, however solely ships to European Union and the UK addresses at the moment. Nonetheless, it’s possible you’ll contact a consultant on the web site to inquire in regards to the availability of pipachá in your area.