Museu da Vinha e do Vinho

Museu da Vinha e do Vinho (Museum of the Vine and Wine) is a small but atmospheric museum dedicated to the tradition of grape growing and winemaking on Madeira. It sits in Arco de São Jorge, part of the municipality of Santana on the island's north coast, a region long associated with mountain viticulture carried out on steep, terraced plots.

How did this museum come to be?

The museum was created as part of the "Raízes" (Roots) project, run under the INTERREG III B community programme and funded by FEDER. The initiative aimed to support productive potential tied to the traditional roots of local communities. The museum was set up through the joint effort of the Associação Santana Cidade Solidária (ASCS) and the Association of Young Farmers of Madeira and Santo da Serra (AJAMPS), with collaboration from the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Natural Resources via the Madeira Wine Institute. It opened its doors on September 29, 2005, following an investment of roughly 250,000 euros.

What is there to see?

The heart of the museum is a restored old winery (adega), which now houses tools and equipment once used for growing grapes and making wine — from traditional presses to fermentation vessels. Next to the building lies the second, living part of the exhibit: the Experimental Viticulture Field of Arco de São Jorge, a working vineyard where several white and red grape varieties are cultivated side by side. This lets visitors observe the vine's growth cycle in real time, across the different seasons — from budding through flowering to the ripening of the grapes.

The exhibition therefore combines two dimensions: a historical one, showing how a winemaker's work looked in the past on Madeira, and a practical one, helping visitors understand the plant itself and its cultivation under the island's distinctive mountain conditions.

A tasting to finish the visit

A visit to the museum ends with a tasting of Madeira wine, traditionally served alongside regional pastries. It's the moment where theory turns into practice — after seeing the tools and the vineyard field, guests finally get to taste the result of centuries of work.

A shop with regional products

Next to the museum there is also a small shop selling products typical of the Santana region: Madeira wines, homemade bread, cakes, honey broas (traditional sweet pastries), and wicker items. It's a good spot to pick up a souvenir that is genuinely tied to local tradition rather than a mass-produced trinket.

Who is this place for?

Museu da Vinha e do Vinho is aimed mainly at visitors interested in agricultural and winemaking history, but it also suits anyone touring Madeira's north coast who wants to add something more substantial than views alone to their route. Its small scale means a visit doesn't take long, while the combination of history, living agriculture, and food and drink makes it a compact but well-rounded stop.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the museum located? In Arco de São Jorge, part of the municipality of Santana, on Madeira's north coast.

When did the museum open? On September 29, 2005.

What does the exhibition include? A restored old winery with viticulture tools, plus an experimental vineyard field growing several grape varieties.

Can you taste wine there? Yes, the visit ends with a tasting of Madeira wine served with regional pastries.

Is there a shop on site? Yes, selling local products such as wines, bread, cakes, honey broas, and wicker crafts.