Wine has been produced here for many centuries, but it was only when the islands gained UNESCO World Heritage status as a wine region in 2004 that the potential in terms of quality wine started to draw attention.
The vines are grown on the rocky coastline at the base of a volcanic mountain, a terroir which apparently defines the definition of unusable soil and where nothing can be grown other than grapes.
The red is un-oaked, a wine with a respectably low alcohol level of just 12% made from a blend of many different varieties including Aragonês, Castelão, Syrah, Merlot, along with local grapes.
Ruby red in colour, it has notes of cherry and spices on the nose, a lovely freshness in the mouth and fine tannins with a subtle saltiness to the dry finish.