Fogo is Cape Verde's wine island. In the mineral-rich ash of the Chã das Caldeiras crater, vines grow low against the ground for shelter, producing distinctive reds, whites and the amber Manecom.
Tasting in the crater
The cooperative winery in Chã das Caldeiras welcomes visitors for tastings, and many crater guesthouses pour their own home-made wine. Fogo also grows excellent coffee on its higher slopes — worth seeking out alongside the local goat's cheese.
What to try
Look for the dry Chã reds and the sweet, sherry-like Manecom, and pick up a bottle of grogue or a bag of Fogo coffee to take home. Buying at source directly supports the families who rebuilt after the 2014 eruption.
Vines in volcanic ash
Grapes should not grow here — 1,700 metres up, inside an active volcano, in soil that is essentially black grit. Yet vines brought in the nineteenth century thrived: the porous ash holds overnight moisture, the altitude cools the nights, and the result is one of the world's most improbable wine regions. The 2014 eruption buried the winery and many parcels; growers replanted in the fresh lava within a couple of years, and the vineyards now weave between flows of different decades like a geological timeline you can drink.
What to taste
The cooperative and a handful of family producers make reds (mainly from the local Preta tradition), crisp whites and rosés, and the distinctive Manecom — an amber, slightly oxidative traditional style that tastes of dried fruit and smoke, and divides visitors delightfully. Tastings at the crater winery cost a few euros; bottles run €8–15 and travel well wrapped in a jumper in checked luggage.
Visiting and buying
- Tastings daily at the Chã das Caldeiras cooperative; guesthouses pour local wine with dinner.
- Pair the wine with crater goat's cheese and Fogo coffee.
- Buy in the crater or São Filipe — resort-island prices double it.
- Harvest (around July–September) is a fascinating time to visit.
- The full story of the land: the 2014 eruption.
Frequently asked questions
What wine does Fogo produce?
Fogo makes dry reds and whites plus the sweet, sherry-like Manecom, from vines grown in volcanic ash inside the Chã das Caldeiras crater.
Where can you taste Fogo wine?
At the cooperative winery in Chã das Caldeiras and at many crater guesthouses, which serve their own home-made wine.
Does Fogo grow coffee?
Yes — Fogo grows well-regarded coffee on its higher slopes alongside its wine, and both make excellent souvenirs.