Insula Vinus is Paulo Machado’s personal project on Pico, in the middle of the Atlantic. Here the wines are shaped by black lava, salty ocean air, and vintages that refuse to be tamed. The focus is on indigenous white grapes, mainly Arinto dos Açores, grown in traditional currais that shield the vines from wind and sea spray.
The Azores are wild, beautiful, and unpredictable. The climate shifts, and so do the wines’ expressions. The vineyards are scattered around São Mateus and along the western coast. Many sites sit on the southern side of Mount Pico, where fog and clouds get trapped, helping preserve acidity even in warmer years. The porous lava soils provide drainage, heat retention, and the clear minerality that defines these wines.
Born and raised on Pico, educated in agriculture at the Universidade dos Açores and in oenology in Porto. After working as a teacher and at the regional wine authority, where he served as president from 2010 to 2016, Paulo founded Insula Vinus in 2006. In 2013 he co-founded Azores Wine Company, where for several years he was responsible for viticulture and winemaking. He then returned fully to Insula to bottle under his own name.
The wines are characterful, aromatic, and high-toned, with lively acidity, pronounced minerality, and a cool, saline finish. Each vintage leaves its own mark, but the origin is constant: a young volcanic island, unique grape varieties, and the Atlantic at arm’s length.
As Paulo puts it: "Wines have to be what each year gives."
