Madeira's vineyards had a much stronger year. Grape production on the island rose 27.48% in 2026, to about 3,637 tonnes, according to provisional figures for this year's harvest. That is roughly 784 tonnes more than in 2025, when growers picked 2,853 tonnes.
The numbers were presented by Tiago Freitas, president of the Madeira Wine, Embroidery and Handicraft Institute (IVBAM). He spoke at the first Azores Wine-Growing Forum, held on the island of Pico under the theme "Atlantic Wines: Identity, Innovation and Future".
About 1,650 Growers Farm Some 4,390 Plots of Vines
Freitas used the forum to describe the Madeiran wine sector to his Azorean hosts. Vineyards cover about 400 hectares of the island, spread over roughly 4,390 plots and worked by around 1,650 growers.
He pointed to what makes the island's production different: vines grown on terraces, volcanic soils, the network of levadas and traditional ways of training the vines. On top of that, every grape is picked by hand.
Madeira Wine Sold 3.05 Million Litres Worth Over 20.5 Million Euros
The presentation also covered sales. In 2025, about 3.05 million litres of Madeira wine were sold, worth more than 20.5 million euros.
Freitas noted that the wine is sold in Portugal, in other European Union countries and in markets outside the EU. He presented it as one of the region's best-known products abroad.
Madeira's 379 Hectares of Vines Compared With 1,200 in the Azores
The two archipelagos have very different amounts of land under vines. The article puts Madeira at about 379 hectares, against roughly 1,200 hectares in the Azores. Earlier in the same report, the Madeiran figure is given as about 400 hectares.
Freitas stressed what the two regions share. In both, wine-making is shaped by island life, the Atlantic Ocean and natural conditions that give each region's wines their own character.
"Two products that may even be different, but which, above all, have a strong identity," he said of the wines from both island regions.
Island Life, Landscape and Sustainability Named as Shared Challenges
Despite the gap in size, the forum focused on common problems. These include the limits of island life, protecting landscapes, sustainability and the need to keep farming going.
"We share the challenges of a sector that has a lot in common, namely when it comes to insularity, but also quality," Freitas said.
He also called for closer ties between the two regions, and for sharing experience and knowledge, especially scientific knowledge, to help growers.
"By working together we will certainly be stronger and have more knowledge about the sector. We have different specificities, but similar challenges."
Tiago Freitas, President of IVBAM
Freitas added that the forum was a chance to present Madeira and its wine heritage. The event began on Thursday and runs until Sunday in the town of Madalena, on Pico, bringing together officials and experts from the sector.
Source: dnoticias.pt
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