Adega do Vulcão

Verdelho 2023

A single varietal made on the Azorean island of Pico, where the grapes grow against the country's highest mountain.

Glass White wine glass

Grapes Verdelho

Flavors Basalt, flint, and almonds

Serve 8 - 10 degrees Celsius

Appellation Pico, DO Pico, Azores, Portugal

Food excellent as an aperitif, but also an ideal accompaniment to fish, seafood such as mussels, and light meat dishes

Alcohol 12.5%

Winemaker Guido Mancassola with the help of Alberto Antonini

Background Adega do Vulcão is located on the remote Azorean islands of Pico and Faial, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The winery is run by Guido and Alberto, who focus on volcanic soils and indigenous grape varieties. Their dedication to sustainable and minimal intervention in the vineyard results in wines that are pure and powerfully reflect the character of their origin. The vines grow on black lava soil, often within centuries-old stone walls, only a few hundred meters from the ocean. The extreme conditions produce wines that are saline, energetic, and full of character.

Soil volcanic

Altitude 10 to 50 meters above sea level

Vineyards The vineyards planted with Verdelho (Verdejo) are located at the foot of Portugal's highest mountain, on the island of Pico, (Mount) Pico. Here are the relatively young vines, 7 to 15 years old.

Vinification Low intervention. The grapes are carefully selected in the vineyard and transported in small crates to the cellar, where they are destemmed and cold-soaked for three days in stainless steel tanks. Fermentation then starts in concrete tanks with indigenous yeasts, at a maximum temperature of 25°C, to preserve as much fruit as possible. The wine ages for twelve months in concrete tanks.

Filtering None

Acids 5.99 grams per liter

Sulphite <80 milligrams per liter