Featured Artisan: Abelha Organic Cachaça

About

Take a journey to the hills and valleys that sit at the edge of the majestic Chapada Diamantina National Park in Bahia, Brazil. Here you’ll find a little town called Rio de Contas, and if you’re lucky you’ll meet a man called Marcos Vaccaro, a visionary, expert, and the Master Distiller of Abelha Organic Cachaça. Marcos’ organic farm sits at 1200 meters altitude, and produces exceptional sugarcane, fruit trees, and coffee. The distillery is a single-estate family operation that is deeply committed to its local community through both careful stewardship of the surrounding natural resources and investment in the lives of local farmers. The Abelha Distillery is actively involved in training local farmers in organic best practices, helping them earn their certification, and then becoming official distillery partners who are able to supply the distillery with organic sugarcane at a fair price as part of a cooperative. Thus far five of the farmers they work with have undergone their certifications with several others in process. The farm itself is 100% sustainable, self-sufficient, and clean-running. All waste is re-used in future farming. Farm vehicles are powered by distillate by-products, and the team is dedicated to efforts that not only protect and preserve the earth but actually contribute to its regeneration. Abelha Organic Cachaça is produced by local craftspeople and workers, with the highest standards of production at every step of the process. Both the growing and distilling process are 100% organic. Organic sugarcane is fresh cut, and processed the same day for fermentation. It is then distilled in traditional 800 liter alembic stills. The Prata is rested for six months before being bottled. It has an almost grappa-like quality, a smooth olive oil mouthfeel and a pure, fresh flavor. It makes a perfect caipirinha, but also making an exciting substitute for rum, tequila, vodka, and even gin in many classic cocktails. The Ouro is aged for three years in wood barr