Cooperativa Vitivinicola da Ilha de Pico

Situated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean as part of the Azorean Islands, the viticulture of Pico Island is already present for generations. Originated in 1949, Cooperativa Vitivinícola da Ilha do Pico (CVIP) – Picowines, brings together most of the island winemakers to produce wine with a terroir you’ll never find somewhere else.

Currently we work with 250 associates which every year, by the time of harvest (August to September), deliver grapes in the best available quality, so we can vinify our wines in ways we do best - with a minimalist mindset and trying to keep the influence on processing as little as possible.

Our wines are special because of an extreme maritime climate and a unique landscape. The soil of Pico Island is consisting of basaltic lava, formed 50-240 thousand years ago - a vast area of vineyards that were classified in 2004 as World Heritage by the UNESCO. Being a volcanic island is without any doubt a big part of our identity, as Cooperativa Vitivinícola da Ilha do Pico, and as it is revealing in our products. The soil and climate, almost impenetrable and sometimes aversive, are giving special and unique characteristics to our wine.

Located extremely far-out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, defenceless to the weather conditions, determines our yearly production as being very fruitful or catastrophic. Featuring saline winds and storms from the Atlantic Ocean, which in excess burn very often the vines and their leafs and reducing their development. On the other hand, the same winds provide a unique taste to our wines: in the whites for centuries already, with an excellent acidity, and as well, in a bittersweet side note.

It is said that Frei Pedro Gigante (one of the very first monks on the island) planted the first vine on the island (late 15th century): the current indigenous varieties such as Arinto dos Açores, Verdelho and Terrantez do Pico, survived and are surviving within the little man-made stone walls used to provide shelter from the saline winds (“currais”), which appear like a labyrinth. This type of viticulture, which has a stunning visual impact, involves a lot of work and dedication.

Until today, the methods of planting and harvesting the grapes are the same as many centuries ago – all done manually without any mechanization, preserving the essence of our terroir.

The expression of our wines is the nature of terroir and, of course, humanity. Both in constrained harmony twined in the Coop.