Join Azores Wine Company for a unique tasting journey through Portugal’s hidden red wine regions. Experience rare varietals shaped by volcanic landscapes and guided by António Maçanita’s expert storytelling.
Join Azores Wine Company for a unique tasting journey through Portugal’s hidden red wine regions. Experience rare varietals shaped by volcanic landscapes and guided by António Maçanita’s expert storytelling.
Book with Azores Wine Company
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Azores Wine Company · Bandeiras, Açores
The Azores Wine Company invites adventurers and wine enthusiasts alike to step beyond Portugal's well-trodden tourist paths into an authentic tasting journey: Tintos Fora da Caixa... o Portugal esquecido. Set on Ilha do Pico in the Azores archipelago, this experience anchors visitors in Bandeiras, where volcanic soils and Atlantic breezes shape distinct red wine varieties rarely spotlighted outside their homelands. Under the guidance of renowned viticulturist António Maçanita, guests sip through four striking red wines, each infused with the geology and culture of unique regions — Pico, Madeira, Douro, and Alentejo.
This trip distinguishes itself by linking the sensory experience of wine tasting to the raw, rugged landscapes that produce these varietals. Pico’s dramatic basalt vineyards climb slopes that plunge into the ocean, Madeira’s Tinta Negra grapes thrive on volcanic terrain that endows the wines with exceptional depth, Douro’s terraced escarpments carve the valley’s contours, and Alentejo’s expansive plains harness the Mediterranean climate favored by Tinta Carvalha grapes. Each glass reveals more than rich flavors; it unveils stories of climate, soil, and centuries-old cultivation techniques.
Azores Wine Company’s offering is a compelling call to those who want a deeper connection to place through wine — a narrative rarely told within conventional wine tours. The experience caters to travelers seeking a grounded, sensory adventure through Portugal’s vinicultural diversity, enriched by Maçanita’s expert insights. This is a chance to engage intimately with Portugal’s overlooked terroirs, making it a must-do for anyone passionate about wine and the raw outdoor environments that forge it.
easy.
2–3 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; minimal physical exertion required
No, the tour welcomes both novices and seasoned wine lovers alike, with expert guidance to suit all levels.
Four distinct red wines representing Pico, Madeira, Douro, and Alentejo regions are included.
The tasting is primarily based in one location in Bandeiras; any travel between vineyards is minimal and guided.
Please notify the Azores Wine Company in advance, and they will do their best to accommodate.
This is primarily a wine tasting for adults; children and non-drinkers should check with the operator about alternative arrangements.
Tours are typically conducted in Portuguese, with English support available upon request.
Pico Island's vineyards have UNESCO World Heritage status, recognizing centuries-old practices uniquely adapted to volcanic terrain.
Azores Wine Company emphasizes sustainable viticulture, respecting soil health and local biodiversity to preserve these fragile landscapes.
Azores Wine Company is a boutique wine experience based in Bandeiras, Açores. The company curates guided tastings and dining events that showcase wines from the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands and select continental regions of Portugal, Spain and Italy. Experiences range from two-hour tasting journeys—highlighting grape varieties such as Arinto dos Açores, Verdelho, Terrantez do Pico, Listrão and Listan Blanco—to menu-led meals at the open kitchen counter. Tastings include region-focused trips like "Islands – Portugal, Espanha e Itália", island comparisons, single-producer showcases such as António Maçanita selections, and themed menus including "Sal & Especiarias" and "Loucos por Brancos Fantásticos!" Several experiences pair wines with curated dishes; the Menu ao Balcão offers vegetarian customization while noting the tasting menu is not available for guests avoiding meat and fish. Many standard tastings run approximately two hours and draw directly on Pico Island ingredients and Azorean wine traditions. Azores Wine Company connects guests with producers, sources rare local varieties from volcanic terroirs, and maintains a wine library used for special selections. Featured on The Adventure Collective, the business emphasizes authentic regional storytelling, small-group formats and carefully paired flavors. Visitors seeking island wine education, unique tasting menus, or a focused exploration of Azorean grape varieties will find specialized, on-location experiences in Bandeiras.
Book with Azores Wine Company