Museu do Vinho

At Pico Island’s Museu do Vinho, wine is more than a drink—it’s a story worthy of exhibition. A stroll through the wine museum reveals Pico’s history and shares how its crafty islanders figured out how to grow grapes on volcanic soil, turning this unlikely terrain into a wine lover’s destination.

This World Heritage Site sprawls out on the premises of a former convent built in an ancient “dragon forest.” That name comes from its beautifully gnarled trees, which resemble the body and outstretched wings of mythical beasts. They are their own exhibit, showing visitors evidence of the conditions the grapes are up against.

Volcanic rock dominates the landscape, so much so that Pico is referred to as Ilha Preta, the “Black Island.” Its vineyards were cultivated on top of that dark matter with an extra layer of soil, then surrounded by stone walls, parallel to the rocky shore. This allows sweet island sunshine to hit the Verdelho grapes but shields them from gusts and gales wild enough to turn nearby trees into dragons.

This stunner of a promenade brings you to a vision so scenic it would be rude not to uncork a bottle and raise a toast.

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