Luxury wine tasting at the Czar Pico winery

Czar Pico wine is considered unique in the world by wine critics, and its price reflects not only the history it carries but also the immense work and risk taken by its producer, Fortunato Garcia, owner of some of the oldest Verdelho vines on Pico Island. Locals often say he must be a little crazy, as the grapes are harvested extremely ripe, almost falling from the vines like raisins. In what are known as “cursed” years, strong winds or heavy rain can destroy these golden grapes entirely, which is why Czar wine is not produced every year. It is neither a liqueur nor a fortified wine like Port, yet it naturally reaches 18 degrees of alcohol, with a remarkable balance between acidity and sweetness. Some bottles can exceed 1,000 euros in value. This year, however, we are fortunate: Fortunato has just bottled the 2013 harvest, aged for eight years in oak barrels, an excellent vintage limited to only 1,000 bottles, and we have saved a few especially for you.

We begin in Madalena with a short walk through vineyards by the sea, at the foothills of Pico Mountain, within the Pico Wine Landscape, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004. Along the way, we will explore the history and singular character of Pico wine, which grows from volcanic lava soil and flourishes directly from rock. To refresh our feet, we will stop at a natural swimming pool, where you can swim or simply relax while sharing local stories and preparing for our final stop: the Czar Winery.