We begin our exploration of Pico’s wine history and culture with a visit to the Wine Museum in Madalena. Housed in a former wine estate, the convent house built there has been transformed into a must-see museum, featuring a significant collection displayed within its historic structures, such as the warehouse, the distillery, and the wine press. The magnificent view from this location offers a glimpse of what awaits us in the unique Criação Velha Wine Landscape.
We then set out on a walking tour of the Lajido da Criação Velha area, a site designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the places where you can appreciate the Vineyard Landscape of Pico Island , characterized by an extensive network of stone walls forming enclosures, also known as curraletas, which protect the planted vineyards from the sea mist, the backdrop to this unforgettable landscape.
We’ll stop at the iconic Moinho do Frade, an old windmill and a must-see spot for contemplating the glorious work of our ancestors.
Up next, we suggest choosing between the following options:
• A visit to Cooperativa Vitivinícola da Ilha do Pico – Picowines, founded in late 1949, featuring a tour of the restored stone barns in the Lajidos da Criação Velha and Santa Luzia areas, and a tasting of wines and regional products at the cooperative’s facilities, to gain an understanding of the various winemaking processes in one of the “premier” regions in the history of Pico wine.
• A tour, including a wine tasting, at Adega Pico Wine Tours, right in the heart of Criação Velha, in a privileged setting where nature speaks for itself: the sea so close by, Mount Pico on the horizon, and a small traditional-style house marking the start of a stretch of farmyards stretching as far as the eye can see. A warm, family-friendly experience, chatting with owner and producer José Costa, who learned everything from the elders about the art of tending the vineyards and producing a unique wine.
• A visit, including a wine tasting, to Adega do Vulcão to learn about the story that led the Italian owners to settle between Faial and Pico and to help preserve the Azores’ winemaking traditions by restoring old farmhouses and building a small winery in São Mateus. They invite visitors to fully enjoy a tasting of their unique wines and local products, with an incredible view of the vineyards and the sea on the horizon. An unforgettable experience.
