Madeira Wine Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Madeira > Funchal > Funchal > Sé

Location

Located in the Sé area, in the heart of Funchal. Although close to the city's busiest thoroughfares, the museum is set within courtyards and buildings that offer a more sheltered and calm environment, providing a break from the urban dynamic of Madeira's capital.

A Space with History

The space that houses the museum has a rich history. Originally, these structures were part of an old convent, transformed into a winery in 1834. However, some of the wine cellars present here are even older, dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, preserving the memory of centuries dedicated to wine production in Madeira.

It is a complex of buildings with civil architectural characteristics that bear witness to the evolution of the island's wine industry over time.

Madeira Wine and its Tradition

This museum explores the history and tradition of Madeira wine. Through the exhibition, visitors discover the journey of this nectar, from the cultivation of the vine and its characteristic grape varieties, such as Sercial, Malvasia, Verdelho, and Boal, to the transformation process that gives it its unique qualities.

Particular attention is given to the heating method, fundamental for the wine's distinctive profile, explaining how the island developed this technique over the centuries.

The Visit Route

As visitors walk through the museum, they have the opportunity to explore the old wine cellars. It is possible to observe the original wooden structures, smell the characteristic aromas of wine and aged wood, and even see old books related to the art of blending different batches and the origins of the grape varieties.

The tour culminates in a room where visitors can engage with the final product, notable for its murals painted by Max Romer in 1922, which enrich the environment and the visitor's experience.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt