Luxury wine tasting at the Czar Pico Winery

Quick Details

Prices

Adult

+17 years old

150€

Youth

12-17 years old

90€

Children

3-12 years old

90€

Infant

0-2 years old

60€

Czar Pico wine is celebrated as uniquely exceptional by wine critics and experts alike!

The remarkable price of over €1000 per bottle reflects its history and the bold risks undertaken by its producer, Fortunato. He cultivates some of the oldest Verdelho vines, over a century old, achieving a perfect harmony between acidity and sweetness. Czar wines are notable for reaching 18% alcohol solely through fermentation, distinguishing them from liqueur and fortified wines like Port, placing them in a category of their own.

Due to the grapes being harvested at peak ripeness, strong winds or rain can devastate these precious gold grapes, potentially destroying an entire harvest. This year, we’re in luck!

Fortunato has just bottled the 2015 vintage, and we have secured a few bottles from previous years exclusively for our tastings. These wines, aged for eight years in oak barrels, are limited to just 1000 bottles. We have saved some just for you! Join us for an exclusive tasting of Czar Pico Wine, meet the visionary producer, engage in enlightening conversations, and savor limited editions not available on the market.
Our adventure begins in the quaint village of Madalena. After a leisurely stroll through the vineyards along the seaside, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004, we’ll cool our feet in a natural swimming pool.

Here, you can either dip into the waters or relax by the edge, sharing local stories and gearing up for our final stop: Czar Winery. Discover the history and unique characteristics of Pico wine, cultivated in volcanic lava soil and thriving among the rocks, something which contributes to craft some of the best wines in the world!

What's included?

Czar Wine tasting
Local cheese or other tastings to pair with the wine
Guided walk in Pico Unesco vineyards
Visit to one of our favorite pools (if the weather conditions allow)
Guided experience by a local food expert with transcultural sensitivity
Private transportation

Dietary restrictions

This experience can be 100% suitable for vegetarians, gluten-free foodies, pescatarians, lactose intolerant, and keto diet travelers. Private food tour not required.
If you’re a group of Halal foodies or Vegans, please contact us for a private tour as we have an itinerary tailored just for you!

What to bring?

Comfortable clothes and shoes (the walking in Pico vineyards is mostly done on top of lava rock)
Bottle of water
Sun protector, hat, swimming suit and towel if the weather allows us to visit one of our favorite natural pools.
Curiosity!

Meeting Point

Join us on the day of the tour near the Ferry Boat terminal in Madalena Village, Pico Island. We will gather by the small statue of Gilberto Mariano da Silva.

Directly opposite, you’ll see a turquoise blue water sports shop called CW Azores. We’ll meet right in front of this shop, near the statue.

This location is central and easy to find, but should you have any difficulties or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us before the experience begins.

FAQ

How much walking is involved? I have some mobility issues. Is this feasible?

Starting our experience in Pico’s unique UNESCO Landscape, allows us to value what nature and people have to offer.

Our initial walk of 700 meters, is partially done on top of volcanic lava rocks with uneven soil, in between the vineyards walls, but most of it will be on flat soil.

What is our philosophy and what sets us apart?

I fell in love with these islands, particularly Pico, during an extended stay filled with living, working, tasting, and exploring. Since 2021, these personal experiences have allowed me to forge natural connections, sharing them with small groups through cultural and culinary journeys that organically weave into the fabric of my life. Each OMC tour and experience is authentic, eclectic, and deeply rooted in the local culture of the region and its people.

My background in Anthropology provides a unique lens to understand how food and beverages are manifestations of local traditions and communities, embedded into a certain place or culture.

We offer access to experiences beyond the reach of traditional commercial travel services, experiences that might otherwise be unimaginable or unattainable on short self-guided trips. Our activities are well-structured yet fluid, designed to immerse you authentically into the local cultures and mingling with people, always in a fun and relaxed way.

At OMC, we preach and practice transformative tourism, with the firm belief that our experiences have the power to change lives positively. This principle guides us as we curate each event, focusing on small groups and exclusive engagements. We prioritize local narratives and personal stories over broad, impersonal theories, embracing our roles as cultural actors and creators.

OMC’s spirit is inherently eclectic, presenting a range from traditional to innovative experiences. We connect you with award-winning producers and intimate, homemade meals prepared by locals, blending popular wisdom with academic insight. We encourage questioning of mainstream narratives and products, promoting a more inclusive and diverse understanding of culture.

Note from the founder, Sílvia Olivença, member of the Slow Food Foundation.

For more frequently asked questions about weather, alcohol, and dietary restrictions, please visit our FAQ page here.

Traveler's Stories
More than 6000 Five Stars reviews

A day well spent that made all the difference on our trip to Pico! We got to know places, wines and tasted local 'tapas' that without Silvia and Adriana would not have been possible or would have been extremely difficult! They took us swimming at an incredible place and even lent us a snorkelling mask. Because the weather allowed, we had a delicious volcanic wine tasting from a local wine producer among the black rocks and kiwis and with snacks accompanied by local people! A trip not to be missed with people who in a few hours become friends and that we carry in our hearts! Thank you so much!
Sofia, on Viator

An increadible experience! The place is incredible, with exuberant nature. It's difficult to choose the best part: the walks, the wine tests, the contact with the local culture, the swimming pools... Silvia, many thanks for the fantastic experience! We all came back delighted :)
Gabriel on Viator

Silvia gave us a thorough history of how grapes came to be on the island. We were taken on a walk through the wine fields but mind you these wine fields are not like ours in the States, these grapes are grown in lava beds. No soil! And boy, oh boy the wine produced from these grapes is fanatastic!!! Silvia then took us to a protected swimming area to either swim or not and eat small bites at the local restaurant right there. Crabs, limpets and favas beans with bread. Lastly we were driven to a winery to sample wines produced by a women, very passionate about her wines. And fabulous wines they are!!! If you only have a few hours on Pico, as we did, I would highly recommend this tour. The ferry ride from Faial was a breeze.
Dasya R., USA on Airbnb

As a solo female traveler, I have to say that, I absolutely loved (LOVED ;-) this experience. It is not only a great way to dive into the Azorean Culture through tastings of the VERY UNIQUE Pico wine, sampling of a good bit of tasty local snacks, breathtaking walks through the vineyards, swimming in tide pools within the amazing volcanic landscape, but also an absolute perfect way to meet and mingle with other fellow visitors and local hosts. I wish I could stay longer in order to take full advantage of all the tasteful and careful recommendations that Silvia provided while leisurely taking us all into this beautiful journey into Pico island life style. Thank YOU so much for such a blissful day, Silvia ... I hope to come back and do this all over again with a special someone ... who knows! Hugs to all of you who took such great care of us during our tour.
Adriana on Viator