Graciosa
Santa Cruz da Graciosa and Bom Jesus
Duration
Half-day
Total distance
6 km
Difficulty
Easy
ITINERARY
RVI01GRACloser to the Mediterranean climate, drier and with a diversified and rich agriculture, Graciosa was naturally not left out from the wine production history of the archipelago. The people from this island knew very well how to overcome difficulties of survival in insular territory, launching themselves as pioneers in the production of brandy and angelica, products derived from the once abundant wine production. This business led to the construction of multiple wineries and marked a new economic cycle for the island.
We start by visiting the Graciosa Museum, in Santa Cruz da Graciosa, a museum space that recreates the historical aspects of the island's cultural manifestations, particularly linked to the daily lives of its very singular people. Inside, we are able to visit a small cellar containing utensils and various equipment, from the mill to the presses, a starting point where we can learn about the importance of wine culture in the region.
We proceed for a short tour of the Winemaking Landscape of Bom Jesus e Achada, a landscape marked by numerous basalt stone walls (currais) that protect the vineyards from the sea breeze. Year after year, the beauty from the past is being returned to this landscape, due to various incentives and projects that aim to restore the stone walls, replant vineyards and rewrite the history of wine production in Graciosa Island. This is one of the areas with the best conditions for wine production, with a remarkable amount of old cellars' ruins, memory of the importance that winemaking had in the past.
We suggest ending the day with a visit to the Carlos Picanço Winery, a producer who has dedicated himself to the recovery of an old winery, right in the center of this unforgettable landscape, where he currently produces his own wine and where time seems to have frozen. Here, we can get to know the various stages of agricultural work associated with wine production, as we are invited to taste these nectars full of history, in a pleasant location with an incredible view over the Graciosa vineyards.