Emidio Pepe
Emidio Pepe, a renowned winery in Torano Nuovo, Teramo, Italy, is celebrated for its Montepulciano and Trebbiano d’Abruzzo wines. Discover their tradition and expertise in winemaking.
16/01/2025
Quinta da Costa do Pinhão
Have you ever had a place affect you so strongly, it changed your life? For Florentine couple Gianni Mancassola and Cinzia Caiazzo, it was the Azores. Their passion for the land led to a winemaking project that started on Faial Island, near the Capelinhos volcano, and later expanded to Pico Island.
They now operate on 14 hectares across both islands, focusing on producing high-quality white wines from native vines; an exploration of volcanic terroir and its potential. Their aproach has garnered support from the Azores Regional Government, positioning Adega do Vulcão as a pioneer in the local wine industry. Today, they are respected for wines with precision, volcanic soul and Atlantic purity.
The story of Adega do Vulcão begins with a Florentine couple and the Azores Islands, born almost by chance in 2008. This unique place captured their attention, and they decided to establish their buen retiro here. Over time, their stays became more frequent, with the land exercising its powerful charm, inspiring new desires and projects.
The first of these projects was their connection to wine. Adega do Vulcão, or the volcano’s cellar, came to life through the patient recovery of native vines in a peculiar terroir. The wines produced here, though in small quantities, are known for their defined personalities.
Adega was born on Faial Island, near the Capelinhos volcano, which formed in 1957 after an eruption that began a mile off the coast. For over a year, the sand and ash expelled by the volcano submerged the surrounding land, creating a unique terroir that would develop over the decades. The project soon expanded to Pico Island, where the old UNESCO heritage vineyards are planted in the lava crust. Two islands, two different volcanic terroirs, each contributing to a brand that expresses a deep love for extreme nature and its relationship with mankind.
Adega do Vulcão is dedicated to all aspects of viticulture, including the production, processing, and international export of high-quality white wines. The winery uses native vines that are IGP certified for quality, employing the best cultivation and processing techniques available.
The company operates on two islands, Pico and Faial, with a total of around 14 hectares of vines, some of which began production in 2017. The winery has a cellar on Pico Island, equipped with the best internationally available equipment.
Adega do Vulcão is now owned by an Italian family, consisting of two generations of professionals and entrepreneurs with strong backgrounds in business management, international business, and marketing, as well as in managing innovative farming and winemaking projects.
The viticulture activities are overseen by consultant Alberto Antonini, ensuring high standards and expertise. The overall project is actively supported and closely followed by the Regional Government of the Azores, thanks to its innovative vision and its potential for replication in the region.
