Zé left his native Portugal at 27 and travelled across Europe working on organic and biodynamic farms (and for Ikea) before a chance encounter in Banyuls with Manuel of Vinyer de la Ruca. He became enamoured with the wines and after helping for a couple of vintages, purchased his first hectares of vines in the hills behind Banyuls. He admits freely that he learnt on the job, with the help of Maneul, Bruno Duchene, Alain Castex and many more. Together, a few of them helped set up Les 9 Caves, a communal space for them to work (as well as a cave à manger).

He now has around 8 hectares of vines spread over 12 plots planted over schist and limestone at different altitudes. The vines are farmed with consideration and respect, using biodynamic principles, and all the wines are unfined, unfiltered, and unsulphured. His wines have a complexity and length that conveys the climate and terroir, and we are very lucky to have some.