Fogo is Cape Verde's wine island. Inside the Chã das Caldeiras crater, at around 1,700 metres, vines grow low against black volcanic ash for shelter from the wind, producing dry reds, crisp whites and the amber Manecom. Tasting them in the crater, with the cone of Pico do Fogo above you, is one of the best things to do in the country.
Vines in volcanic ash
Grapes should not grow here. The soil is essentially black grit, the altitude is high and the volcano is active. Yet vines brought in the nineteenth century thrived: the porous ash holds the overnight moisture that the trade-wind cloud delivers, and the altitude cools the nights enough for the grapes to keep their acidity.
The vines are trained low along the ground rather than on wires, so the wind passes over them and the ash reflects heat back at the fruit. Between the plots run lava flows of different ages, which makes the vineyard look like a geological timeline you can drink your way through.
What to taste
| Wine | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Chã red | Dry, earthy and rustic, good with goat stew or the local cheese |
| White and rosé | Crisp and simple, best cold on a warm afternoon |
| Manecom | Amber, slightly oxidised and sherry-like; the crater speciality |
| Home-made crater wine | Whatever your guesthouse pours: variable, often memorable |
Pair them with Fogo's goat's cheese, and finish with a coffee from the island's northern slopes. See Fogo coffee and food and drink in Cape Verde.
Tasting in the crater
The cooperative winery in Chã das Caldeiras receives visitors for tastings, and most crater guesthouses pour their own wine with dinner. Nearly every organised volcano tour includes a stop, and if you stay the night in the crater before climbing Pico do Fogo, the tasting tends to happen by itself.
Buying at source costs less than in the resorts on Sal and Boa Vista, and the money goes directly to the families who replanted after the eruption. Take the bottles in checked luggage.
Tours with a crater wine tasting
Prices, times and availability are shown on GetYourGuide. Many tours offer free cancellation.
Fogo island and crater tours
- Chã das Caldeiras and the lava fields
- Local guides
- Day trips from São Filipe
Pico do Fogo summit hike
- Guided climb from Chã das Caldeiras
- About 3 hours to the top
- Fast descent on volcanic ash
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Wine after the eruption
The 2014 eruption buried the winery, the visitor centre and much of the vineyard under lava. The community moved back and replanted, partly in the fresh ash, and production recovered within a few years. Buying a bottle in the crater is a small part of that story.
Frequently asked questions
Does Cape Verde produce wine?
Yes. Almost all of it comes from Fogo, where vines grow in volcanic ash inside the Chã das Caldeiras crater at around 1,700 metres.
What is Fogo wine like?
Dry reds with a rustic, earthy character, crisp whites and rosés, and Manecom, an amber, slightly oxidised traditional wine that tastes closer to sherry.
Where can you taste wine on Fogo?
At the cooperative winery in Chã das Caldeiras and at family guesthouses in the crater, which usually pour their own. Most volcano tours include a tasting.
Can you buy Fogo wine to take home?
Yes, at the winery, in shops in São Filipe and at the airport. Buying at source is cheaper and the money goes to the growers who rebuilt after the 2014 eruption.
Did the 2014 eruption destroy the vineyards?
It buried the winery and many plots. Growers replanted in the new ash within a couple of years, and the vineyards now weave between lava flows of different decades.
What else does Fogo produce?
Coffee on the higher northern slopes, goat's cheese in the crater, and grogue. See our guide to Fogo coffee.