The Alchemist of Pico’s Liquid Happiness
At the heart of the UNESCO-listed vineyards of Pico Island, where black basalt walls frame a sea of greenery, winemaker, viticulturist and guide Fábio Rocha has built a world-class experience in wine, culture and landscape. Through his venture Art of Wine Pico, he invites not just to taste a glass—but to savour 500 years of history, geology and human endeavour.
Background
Armed with a degree in Food Engineering, Fábio decided early to follow his dream of practicing oenology. His first professional steps took him to Portugal’s Alentejo region, where his family originates. In what he describes as a “return to the origins,” he began working in a winery in Baixo Alentejo, in the Vidigueira area, while finishing his degree.
“Destiny seemed sealed after just three months,” he recalls. “That’s when my passion for winemaking truly took root.”
Over the following years, he honed his craft across Portugal—Palmela, Setúbal, Douro (three campaigns), Alto Alentejo, Vinhos Verdes—and later joined the international ranks of harvests in Australia, New Zealand and Chile (2016, 2017, 2019). Ultimately he pursued deeper knowledge at University of Évora, completing his Master’s in Viticulture and Oenology, and discovering Pico through a colleague from the island.
Journey to Vineyards of Pico
In 2021, Fábio started working as winemaker at Adega do Vulcão, where he combined production with wine tourism. It was his springboard into founding Art of Wine in 2023—a project with the ambition of showcasing the true art of viticulture in the Azores.
Today, Art of Wine Pico collaborates with virtually every Island wine-producer and key tourism stakeholders, offering high-end, immersive experiences for clients who seek more than just a tasting.
Why Pico? Why This Wine?
Viticulture on Pico traces back to the 1470s, when settlers carved vineyards into volcanic rock and shaped the dramatic landscape we see today. Fábio’s tours interpret these “currais” (stone‐walled plots), explore the “rola-pipas” and visit the wine museum, relheiras and historic cellars—often with vineyard workers, producers and families who’ve lived with the vine for generations.
Special focus falls on three rare Azorian grape varieties; Arinto-dos-Açores, Terrantez-do-Pico and Verdelho. The last one is a unique Azorean variety believed to descend from the historic Verdelho and now-extinct local vines. Fábio explains: “Each glass is a bridge between past and present. You taste the effort of generations and the purity of volcanic land.”
Advocacy, Education & Masterclasses
Fábio serves as spokesperson and tasting‐panel member for the Regional Wine Commission of the Azores (CVRA), and organizes wine fairs and masterclasses for sommeliers, tourism schools and trade events across Portugal. With Art of Wine he delivers all-inclusive tours that blend geology, biodiversity, history and wine—crafting multi-sensory storytelling that transcends the cellar.
Liquid Happiness
Fábio describes his mission simply: to make people happy and wine equals joy. Bookended by his favourite song – Time by Pink Floyd – Fábio pursues a life of meaning, presence and flavour.
Whether you’re sipping under the Atlantic skies, exploring basalt vineyards or toasting inside a stone cellar carved from lava, he offers one promise: liquid happiness.
Want to Experience It?
Through Art of Wine Pico, you can explore Pico’s biodiversity, the island’s volcanic geology, and the centuries-old Azorean wine culture in an intimate and enlightening way.
Tours through Art of Wine Pico include:
- Visits to exclusive vineyards, cellars and “currais” on Pico Island
- Detailed explanations of volcanic geology, micro-climate and vine biology
- Tasting of rare Azorean wines and traditional pairings
- Optional local lunch, full-day experiences, and bespoke private bookings
Special Offer for Revista Pico Readers
Get a 30% discount on wine tours.
Claim your discount here and receive a discount code.
Book your ticket by December 31 to secure this special discount! You can choose any tour date in 2025 or 2026, except for the peak months of June, July, August, and September.
