PRIVATE

Volcanic secrets: Private Pico Wine & Gastronomy inside a lava cave

A VOLCANIC GASTRONOMIC EXPERIENCE YOU WILL NEVER FORGET

From 710€

Quick Details

Prices

1-2 People

710€

3 people

860€

4 People

970€

5 People

1.060€

6 People

1.150€

7 People

1.270€

8 People

1.450€

An intimate moment. A secret place. A volcanic experience you will never forget.

Pico Island, in the Azores, is entirely volcanic, shaped by eruptions that built layers of solidified lava and created its striking landscape and central volcano. When lava cooled, the exterior hardened while the inside stayed liquid. As it drained, it left natural tunnels—that’s how Pico’s volcanic caves formed. This same volcanic soil creates a unique terroir, defining Pico’s wines, its cuisine and even local culture.

One cage – Gruta das Torres – is open to public to visitors with a ticket, allowing limited-time exploration inside a real lava tube. But, have you ever imagine enjoying a wine tasting with an exclusive Chef menu inside a private volcanic cave?

This is the moment we’d love to invite you in, to step deeper into Pico’s most secret place! After a short walk through the ocean-side vineyards at the foothills of the majestic Pico Mountain — in the breathtaking Pico Wine Landscape (UNESCO World Heritage since 2004) — we’ll take you to a charming, exquisite boutique hotel, from where we’ll access our secret volcanic cave.

This hotel is run by a small, independent wine producer, truly committed to the land and its traditions — the perfect host for what comes next. As you step into the cave, the air becomes cooler, quieter… and you’ll instantly notice the layers of ancient lava on the walls, a time capsule that confirms the volcanic stories you’ve just learned.

Then, at a table illuminated by soft candlelight, our exclusive gastronomic and wine journey begins. Here, flavors merge with place — letting you taste, smell and feel the volcanic soul of Pico more intensely than anywhere else.

Chef Natacha has created a unique menu to pair perfectly with the producer’s wines, highlighting authentic local ingredients and the island’s character. Across seven unforgettable courses, we’ll guide you through native grape varieties, traditional methods and aging techniques, while tasting Azorean recipes — and a few special touches inspired by mainland Portugal. Portuguese cuisine and its influences take center stage, in a beautiful conversation with the wines that will be poured just for you.

The handcrafted wines you’ll taste are crafted from local grape varieties, grown in the island’s volcanic stone vineyards. Some age in natural lava “bags”formed centuries ago, allowing the wine to rest inside the earth itself. Every bottle reflects the resilience and creativityrequired to make wine in one of Europe’s most challenging and captivating territories.

An intimate moment. A secret place. A volcanic experience you will never forget.

What's included

A 7 course menu tailored by Chef Natacha that invites you on a journey through Portugal, with stops from north to south and a plunge into the islands.
Up to 5 drink tastings from a small local independent producer; exclusive bottles and handcrafted wines: to the three white wines made from Pico’s traditional grape varieties, we add a rare 10-year-old fortified wine)
Guided walk in Pico Unesco Heritage
Experience conducted and hosted by a local food expert with transcultural sensitivity, a wine expert and the Chef.
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 during warmer seasons
Curiosity

Want to meet your Private Chef?

Chef Natacha blends top culinary training with experience in renowned Lisbon kitchens, Pico Island’s wine-focused cuisine, and her skills as a fisherwoman. She creates authentic, tailored Portuguese dishes, expertly adapts to dietary restrictions and leads cultural food experiences for diverse guests. Take a closer look at her story and projects here.

Chef Natacha blends top culinary training with experience in renowned Lisbon kitchens, Pico Island’s wine-focused cuisine, and her skills as a fisherwoman. She creates authentic, tailored Portuguese dishes, expertly adapts to dietary restrictions and leads cultural food experiences for diverse guests. Take a closer look at her story and projects here.

Meeting Point

On the tour day, you will meet the group near the Ferry Boat terminal in Madalena Village, Pico Island. The exact meeting point is a small statue of Gilberto Mariano da Silva.

As a reference, just in front, you will find a small water sports shop, in blue turquoise, named CW Azores. We will meet, across the street right in front of CW Azores where you will find the statue.

It’s a very central area so I think you will not have any problem finding it, but feel free to contact us if you need before the experience starts.

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 distinguish us?

I fell in love with these islands, especially with Pico, when I spent several months there living, working, tasting and exploring. These personal experiences allowed me to create natural connections that I have shared with small groups of travelers since 2021, through cultural and culinary trips and tours, which emerged organically as part of the fabric of my life – as happened to all OMC tours and experiences which are always authentic, eclectic and deeply rooted in the region and its people!

My background in Anthropology gives me tools to better understand how food and beverages are manifestations of local traditions and communities, embedded into a certain place or culture.

We facilitate access to experiences beyond what other commercial travel agents can book and that would be difficult for you to conceptualize alone or in a short time. Our organized activities have structure and fluidity. You’ll ‘live’ an authentic connection with people and local culture in a fun and relaxed way.

At OMC we preach and practice ‘transformative tourism’ meaning your experience has the potential to change you positively. Each time we organize one of our events we bear this in mind. We only work with small groups and exclusive experiences. We emphasize local narratives and personal stories rather than ‘universal’ theories. We believe we are all cultural actors and creators with our part to play.

Finally, it’s part of OMC’s spirit to be eclectic, which means we offer you experiences that range from traditional to innovative, from award-winning producers to exclusive and homemade meals cooked by natives, where the oral and popular knowledge dialogue with the ‘scientific’ one, where dominant narratives/products/wines are questioned by subversive ones.

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! Thank you so much!
Sofia, 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.
Dasya R., USA on Airbnb

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

Es war eine wunderbare Weinverkostung mit kulinarischen Highlights! Sylvia und Natacha sind Vollprofis! Der Kontakt mit dem Winzer und den "Weinbergen" war sehr interessant und man konnte sämtliche Fragen stellen.
Nora, Germany, May 2025

Silvia was an amazing tour guide, she knew about all the local places and had great historical stories to tell. Was amazing and catered to all our needs. I felt totally safe with her driving us around and enjoyed there was to offer. If I could, I would give her 10 stars.! Definitely would recommend this tour and if you can request her… do! She is amazing.
Ana, USA, Mai 2025

This tour should be the first thing you do when you arrive in Pico! The food and wine tastings were amazing, and Silvia was a wealth of knowledge. She provided great history on the island of Pico, its winemaking tradition, and was happy to provide recommendations for other food, activities, and travel.
Christopher Sweet, New York, June 2025

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