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Taste the rare Arinto dos Açores, Terrantez do Pico, and Verdelho wines on Pico Island’s volcanic terraces with Azores Wine Company. Join a guided winery tour and discover a unique chapter in Portugal’s winemaking heritage.
Taste the rare Arinto dos Açores, Terrantez do Pico, and Verdelho wines on Pico Island’s volcanic terraces with Azores Wine Company. Join a guided winery tour and discover a unique chapter in Portugal’s winemaking heritage.
Book with Azores Wine Company
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Azores Wine Company · Bandeiras, Açores
Set on the rugged volcanic slopes of Pico Island in the Azores archipelago, the Azores Wine Company invites visitors to a distinctive wine tasting experience that reveals some of Portugal’s rarest grape varieties. Located in Bandeiras, a quiet village framed by age-old stone terraces and vineyards, this guided tour delves into the unique viticulture shaped by volcanic soils and Atlantic winds.
The highlight of the Viagem das Castas tour is the chance to savor the island’s signature grapes: Arinto dos Açores, a crisp white indigenous variety thriving in this unique microclimate; Terrantez do Pico, a nearly extinct varietal that speaks to centuries of winemaking tradition; and Verdelho, internationally acclaimed for its balance and aromatic complexity. These grapes sustain a fragile yet vibrant wine culture that has adapted to the steep, lava-strewn terraces confining Pico’s vineyards.
Visitors are led through the historic winery cellar, where traditional methods meet modern techniques, highlighting the resilience and passion of local vintners. The combination of terroir and craftsmanship produces wines that offer vivid notes of citrus, minerality, and saline freshness—the very essence of the island’s environment.
Beyond tasting, this trip connects guests to the story of an island where farming amid rocky volcanic soils requires ingenuity and respect for nature’s rhythms. As a standout destination for wine enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers alike, Azores Wine Company bridges cultural heritage and outdoor exploration, crafting a sensory journey through the Azores’ landscape and history. Whether seeking a palate-expanding experience or a deeper understanding of volcanic island viticulture, Viagem das Castas delivers an authentic encounter with Pico’s remarkable wine legacy.
easy.
1–2 hours.
Suitable for all fitness levels; involves walking on uneven vineyard paths but no strenuous activity.
The full wine tasting and guided winery tour typically lasts between one and two hours.
No prior knowledge is needed; the guides provide detailed insights suitable for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
This experience is designed for adults due to alcohol tasting, but arranging childcare nearby is advisable.
Yes, booking ahead is recommended to secure your preferred date and time.
The winery has some uneven paths and steps; contact Azores Wine Company in advance to discuss accommodations.
The tour focuses on wine tasting and winery visits; guests should plan meals separately.
Pico’s wine culture dates back to the 15th century when settlers began transforming volcanic slopes into vineyards using dry stone walls unique to the region.
Viticulture on Pico balances tradition with environmental stewardship, maintaining terrace walls and promoting organic practices to preserve fragile soils.
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