During our time on the Açores island of Terceira, my brother and I visited Adega Simas, a small vineyard in the quiet town of Biscoitos. At this point in our trip, I was super ill but also determined not to let it get in the way of our quest for cheese, wine, and good times.

So on a sunny afternoon in Terceira, we hopped in a cab and headed out to the quiet town of Biscoitos, on the northern coast of the island. Due to its long wine-growing tradition, Biscoitos, spreading at the foot of a wide lava stream, is the most important agricultural town on the north coast. This area has a unique landscape featuring rolling hills, lush green pastures, groves and the curious ‘curraletas’ – small vineyards, protected by black basalt walls, where the famous ‘Verdelho’ is produced – gently sloping down right up to the edges of the strange rock formations shaping the coast along the Ponta dos Biscoitos. Here the coast is marked by many deep breaches and coves, often creating beautiful natural swimming pools.

We came across Adegas Simas Vineyard in Biscoitos while searching for the perfect place to spend an afternoon appreciating the town's long wine-growing tradition. The small vineyard is operated by a sole owner who carries out all the winery activities from growing and picking the grapes to hosting wine tastings for guests.

When we arrived at the vineyard, the owner came out to greet us and welcome us into his home. I do recommend calling in advance to arrange a visit with the owner as the hours posted online may not be accurate. When we arrived the vineyard was actually closed on account of it being harvest season, but the owner was kind enough to welcome us in any way and as a result, we ended up enjoying a private tasting.

The owner was incredibly lovely, especially considering that we hard barged in when he wasn't actually open for tastings. After seating us at a table on his outdoor patio that overlooked the vineyard and the ocean, he promptly brought us some delicious homemade jams in a variety of flavors including sweet potato, orange, apple, and cinnamon. These were quickly followed up by our first tasting: some of his wonderfully delicious, homemade white wine.

The wine was excellent and the jams complimented them perfectly. In between, the owner chatted with us about the Azores and gave us some background on the vineyard, which we learned was a family business that had been passed down through generations. He was super friendly and gave us some tips and recommendations for us to check out while in Biscoitos, all while continuing to bring us out delicious liquor samples and give us a little background on each one.

Of course, with wines and jams so delicious, we did not leave empty-handed! Everything sampled during the wine tasting, including wines, liquors, and jams was available for purchase. We were big fans of the 5-year white and the sweet potato jam, we ended up bringing home two bottles of each!

I really can't say enough about our time at this quiet little vineyard. A peaceful afternoon indulging was exactly what we needed and we were so grateful to do so within the wonderful company of the vineyard owner. We're already counting on making another trip back the next time we visit Terceira!

More things to do in Biscoitos, Terceira: