Pico Island Vineyards

The Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Pico Island in the Azores, inscribed in 2004. Long black basalt walls run parallel to the coast and inland, sheltering vines from the wind and salt spray in thousands of small rectangular enclosures called currais. Wine has been made here since the late 15th century with traditional techniques still in use, and the site covers about 987 ha, mostly in Madalena and the rest in São Roque do Pico, at the foot of Mount Pico. Manor houses, wine cellars, warehouses and wells are part of the landscape. Start at the interpretation centre in Lajido de Santa Luzia.