From Faial we hopped on a ferry across to Pico, named for the volcanic mountain peak that dominates the skyline and is visible from almost everywhere on the island, as well as from the neighbouring Faial and São Jorge. Pico is famous for her mountain (obviously) and also for her wine. We were ill equipped to climb mountains so made up for it by drinking a lot of wine instead.

Pico is known for her wines and it is mind-blowing that the first people here even managed to get vines to grow in this harsh, windy climate and volcanic terrain. The vines are grown low on the ground and in rocky currals to protect them from the Atlantic wind and the grapes are harvested painstakingly by hand, a process that hasn´t changed over the centuries. The resulting wines are a testament to humankind’s perseverance in the face of adversity, or simply that we are an incredibly stubborn species. Either way, the wine is delicious and I´m glad somebody took the time and effort to make it.