Vineyard Culture Landscape - UNESCO

The Landscape of Wine Culture on the Island of Pico is one of two sites classified as UNESCO World Heritage in Portugal related to viticulture, distinguished in 2004 by the unique system of basalt lava stone walls that Azorean farmers built over centuries to protect the vines from winds and maritime erosion.

This landscape, concentrated on the northwest coast of the island between the parishes of Criação Velha, Biscoitos and Lajido, is the result of centuries of human work on lava: a mosaic of black basalt walls that divide the territory into small plots where the Verdelho variety grows, producer of the historic Pico Wine, appreciated in European courts in the 17th and 18th centuries. The harmony between black stone, green vines and blue ocean creates a landscape of melancholic and singular beauty.

The visit is enhanced by combining with the Trail of Vines of Criação Velha, which crosses this classified landscape at ground level. The Pico Wine Museum, located in Madalena, contextualises the history of local viticulture and offers guided tastings. The vintage season, in September, is the ideal time to visit: the cellars open their doors and the festive atmosphere animates the villages. Access to the landscape is free and can be made by car along the coastal road or on foot via local trails.