Criacao Velha, Azores

Did you know that in the Azores vines grow on basaltic rock? On Pico Island, vineyards are planted in lava-rich soil, in between stone walls, and the grapes are used to make the famous Verdelho, a liqueur wine that is an excellent appetizer. This mesmerizing landscape was listed by Unesco as World Heritage. Need more reasons to go there?

On Pico Island, the vines are planted on lava floors and framed by tight loose stone walls, known as “currais” or “curraletas”, which protect them from the sea wind, but let in the necessary amount of sunlight for their maturation.

Thanks to the volcanic soil, rich in nutrients, the dry, warm microclimate of slopes protected from the wind by walls of rough, dark stone, heated by the sun, the Verdelho variety vines have exceptional ripening conditions here. The wine was later exported to many countries in Europe and America. The vineyards that dot the landscape of the island, still produce a crisp, fruity, dry and mild wine that is an ideal companion for a plate of seafood or fish, as well as the vinho de cheiro (fragrant wine) that is so popular at the tables on feast days.

S/N R. do Carmo
Madalena, Açores

Installed in an old wine-growing property, the former convent house was transformed into a museum space holding an important collection within its old infrastructure, namely, the warehouse, the still and the press.

S/N R. do Carmo
Madalena, Açores

This museum is specially designed for all those who are interested in wine-making and who would like to get to know more about the history of wine production on the island of Pico. The Wine Museum is one of the branches of the Pico Regional Museum, which also includes the Whalers’ Museum in the town of Lajes and the Whaling Industry Museum in São Roque do Pico

S/N R. do Carmo
Madalena, Açores

In the garden of the Pico Wine museum you will find several dragon trees, one of which is more than 400 years old.

S/N R. do Carmo
Madalena, Açores

The museum also exhibits wineries, barrels and other objects related to the traditional wine and moonshine making. Furthermore, from a beautiful wooden belvedere you will see an hectare of the traditional vineyard. In this land, the vine is cultivated over rocky lava beds, very rich in potassium and previously digged out. They have a soil layer for the vines to take roots; everything surrounded by walls to protect the plants from the winds, but at the same time to absorb the humidity and keep a constant temperature.

These lands, the Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture, combining their volcanic nature and ancestral cultivation practices, were classified by UNESCO in 2004 as World Heritage. Lajido da Criação Velha and Lajido de Santa Luzia are the best examples of this art of dividing the land that this title recognises. The vines planted in the lava rock are tightly enclosed by dry stone walls in plots called "currais" or “curraletas”, that are protected from the sea wind but let in the sunshine necessary for their maturation.

Criacao Velha, Azores

The Criação Velha Vineyards, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2004, constitute one of the most incredible landscapes in the Azores. In that same area there is also an old traditional mill extremely well preserved called Moinho do Frade, whose red colour offers an extraordinary contrast with the black and green of the surrounding landscape, and from whose top you can see the vast extension of the vineyard. Don’t miss the opportunity to take that perfect photo to show off to friends and family.

29 Av. Padre Nunes da Rosa
Madalena, Açores

Dry or sweet and comforting, it tastes even better in a picturesque winery. In the Pico Wineries, sometimes adapted to rural tourism, the volcanic stone walls are intertwined with the sea and the vegetation. Pico wines have a tradition. VLQPRD (fortified wines), aperitifs, table wines, whites, reds, Vinho de Cheiro, Angélica and Pico spirits can be found in any restaurant or grocery store, making it easy to taste them and take them with you.

Rua Da Barca
Madalena, Açores

There are many places where to stop for a drink in Pico island, and a adega or the Pico Island Wine Cooperative, really are the perfect place to try the different wines produced on the island. But, if you wish to sit on a nice terrace with unbeatable views over the sea, you should have a stop at some of the bars in the seafront, some with a very unique architecture and atmosphere ;) Need more reasons to fly there?