Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture

The vineyard area spans 987 hectares along the coastline, featuring intricate black basalt stone walls that form rectangular plots called currais.

Franciscan friars initiated vine cultivation on Pico in the 15th century by introducing grape varieties from Mediterranean islands such as Sicily and Crete.

Local winegrowers maintain traditional agricultural methods, adapting their techniques to volcanic terrain while protecting vines from coastal winds with stone walls.

The Museu do Vinho in Madalena presents exhibitions about wine production through ethnographic displays and artifacts in a former Carmelite convent.

The vineyards grow on volcanic soil near sea level, creating specific conditions where grapes develop distinct mineral characteristics from the basalt terrain.

Location: Candelária

Website: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1117

GPS coordinates: 38.51333,-28.54111

Latest update: March 6, 2025 06:34