Blandy's Madeira Wine is once again hosting the Wine Festival from August 27th to September 5th. The program has been revamped, but the goal remains: celebrating the harvest and showcasing new releases.
The organizers describe this year's program as an "immersive and participatory experience, with activities designed to surprise both first-time visitors and seasoned wine lovers." One of the highlights is the return of the Moonlight Harvest, which kicks off the festival. It takes place on August 27th at Quinta de Santa Luzia, starting at 7:00 pm. The program includes harvest and dinner, for 110 euro, with 45 euro for each child between the ages of 4 and 12.
On September 3rd, the event will take place at Blandy's Wine Lodge, on Avenida Arriaga, in Funchal, where three workshops are scheduled: wickerwork, at 10:30 am, sugarcane syrup cake, at 11:30 am, and Madeira embroidery, starting at 3:00 pm The afternoon continues with grape stomping and folklore, starting at 4:00 pm.
All events on this day are free to attend, but require advance booking by calling +351 291 228 978 or emailing pubrel@madeirawinecompany.com.
The following day, September 4th, at 6:00 pm, new wine releases from various brands in the Blandy portfolio will be presented. This presentation will be accompanied by the "All about Madeira" dinner. These events together cost 250 euro.
On September 5th, the last day of the festival, the program begins early, at 9:30 am, with a meeting point at Bandy's Wine Lodge for a visit to the vineyards and a wine tasting. The cost is 40 euro per person and 15 euros for children between 4 and 17 years old. The price includes transportation to the vineyards. This initiative repeats at 3:00 pm. Later, starting at 11:00 am, there will be a workshop called "Make Your Own Madeira Wine," led by Francisco Albuquerque, winemaker at Madeira Wine Company. This activity costs 25 euro per person.
Starting at 4:00 pm, there will be a Uaucacau chocolate workshop, with a Madeira wine tasting. The cost is 17 euros per person.
Interested parties can purchase tickets through the Blandy's website. A premium ticket, which allows access to all moments of the program, is also available upon advance reservation for 399 euros.
The full event program is also available online.
