The Açores Islands  are an archipelago of nine islands in the Atlantic Ocean between Portugal & North America

These islands are filled with active volcanoes, crater lakes, waterfalls & beaches. Most of the soil across the islands is  volcanic, which combined with the climate, gives  Açores wine its vast range of aromas and consistencies. This volcanic soil is also what gives the Açorean vineyards it’s distinct flavor.

Pico, a UNESCO World Heritage region, is one of Portugal’s most unique wine regions. Winemakers on the island Pico meticulously grow their vineyards in “currais” (corrals). These currais are geometric squares, rectangles, or semi-circles separated by walls of stacked basalt stones. Winemakers use the currais to protect the vines from ocean winds, salt sprays, torrential rains, and even the occasional frost.

The vines run along the ground, on top of small black rocks (biscoitos), rather than neat rows of trellises. Resembling large black cookies (biscoito is ‘biscuit’ in Portuguese – possibly meaning the black rock on the coast, or the sea biscuits), the volcanic rocks with rounded and smooth shapes are used to create the vineyard area and its patterned walls.

In recent years, there have been several projects aimed at the recovery of an endangered grape variety, Terrantez do Pico,  as well as the promotion of the Azorean wine and gastronomy. Unique in the world, this nearly extinct grape reveals a surprising freshness, mineral quality and salinity.

Wines from Graciosa island are light with aromas of fresh fruit.

The wines from Pico & Biscoitos are very well balanced  with a strong minerality.