An active volcano on the Cape Verdean island of Fogo has spent centuries shaping the landscape, creating mineral-rich soils which — combined with high elevations, abundant sunshine, and cooling Atlantic influences — form a distinctive terroir that has made Fogo perfectly suited for the production of wine. Where can you find it?
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Discover Fogo: Cape Verde’s Volcanic Island
One of the 10 islands that make up the Cape Verde archipelago, Fogo is dominated by Pico do Fogo, an active volcano that rises nearly 3,000 metres above sea level.
Home to approximately 35,000 people, the island attracts visitors with its dramatic volcanic landscapes, the colonial-era architecture in São Filipe, and the unique communities that live within the shadow of the volcano.
Fogo is also the center of Cape Verde’s wine industry, with most vineyards located in and around Chã das Caldeiras, within the volcano’s vast caldera, where generations of growers have cultivated vines in soils shaped by centuries of volcanic activity.
The Terroir of Fog
In the world of wine, few concepts are more important than terroir, the combination of soil, climate, elevation, and geography that gives a wine its distinctive character.
On Fogo, every element of that terroir has been shaped by volcanic activity.
The island’s vineyards are planted in black volcanic soils formed by centuries of eruptions. Rich in minerals and naturally well-drained, these soils provide an ideal foundation for viticulture.
Unlike heavier soils that can retain excessive moisture, volcanic soils encourage vine roots to grow deeper in search of water and nutrients, helping vines thrive in a challenging environment.
Elevation also plays a crucial role. Although Cape Verde lies just 14 degrees north of the equator, vineyards around Chã das Caldeiras are located at altitudes approaching 1,500 metres. These higher elevations moderate daytime temperatures and create cooler nights that slow ripening, an important factor in grape development.
Sunshine is plentiful throughout the year, providing the warmth needed for grapes to ripen fully. At the same time, Atlantic influences help temper the tropical climate, creating growing conditions that are remarkably well suited to wine production.
These grapes are caressed by ocean breezes and bathed in abundant island sunshine to produce a truly one-of-a-kind wine.
“Each sip is a dance on the palate revealing layers of complexity with a distinct sense of place 3 — bearing witness to captivating landscapes, raw energy, and rich island heritage,” says Visit Cape Verde.
“Together, these elements have created one of Africa’s most distinctive wine-growing environments, a place where vines flourish in the shadow of an active volcano.”
Wine in the Caldera
The center of Fogo’s wine industry is Chã das Caldeiras, a community located within the volcanic caldera at the base of Pico do Fogo.
Here, vineyards grow among lava fields and volcanic rock formations, creating a landscape unlike almost any other wine region in the world.
For generations, local growers have cultivated grapes in this environment, adapting their vineyards to conditions shaped by periodic volcanic eruptions. The result is a small but resilient wine industry rooted in the island’s unique geography and agricultural traditions.
A Brief History of Winemaking on Fogo
Wine production on Fogo dates back centuries and reflects the island’s long connection to Portugal.
European grape varieties were introduced during the colonial period, taking advantage of the fertile volcanic soils and favorable growing conditions found on the slopes of Pico do Fogo.
One of the most frequently cited figures in the island’s wine history is the Comte de Montrond, a French aristocrat who settled on Fogo during the nineteenth century. According to local accounts, he established vineyards in the shadow of the volcano and produced a sweet red wine known as Manecom, a name that remains associated with Fogo wine today.
Over time, viticulture became an important agricultural activity in and around Chã das Caldeiras. Small growers supplied grapes to local producers and cooperatives, creating a wine tradition that has survived volcanic eruptions, changing markets, and the challenges of farming in an isolated island environment.
Today, Fogo remains the center of Cape Verde’s wine industry. Production is small by international standards, but the island’s wines have become an important part of its cultural identity and one of the country’s most distinctive agricultural products.
Grape Varieties and Wine Styles
Fogo’s vineyards are planted with a mix of Portuguese and other European grape varieties that have adapted to the island’s distinctive growing conditions.
Varieties such as Muscat, Touriga Nacional, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Tempranillo are among those cultivated on the island.
Winemakers produce a range of styles, including red, white, and rosé wines, as well as sweeter dessert wines and liqueurs. Production remains limited and much of it is consumed locally, making these wines difficult to buy outside Cape Verde.
Wine in the Shadow of an Active Volcano
The same volcano that created Fogo’s remarkable terroir also presents its greatest challenge.
Pico do Fogo remains active, and eruptions have repeatedly altered the landscape over the centuries. The most recent major eruption in 2014 damaged parts of the wine-growing region and destroyed some vineyards, demonstrating both the risks and rewards of farming on volcanic land.
Yet volcanic activity is also responsible for the fertile soils that make viticulture possible. Each eruption contributes to the geological story that has shaped the island’s terroir, creating a unique relationship between nature and agriculture. On Fogo, wine is not simply grown alongside a volcano. It exists because of it.
Where to Taste Cape Verdean Wines
If you are interested in experiencing Fogo’s wines firsthand, you can start by seeing if the restaurant you are dining at serves them.
For a more in-depth experience, you can head to Chã das Caldeiras, the heart of the island’s wine-growing region.
Here, you can visit vineyards, meet local producers, and sample wines produced from grapes grown in the volcanic soils surrounding Pico do Fogo.
Be forewarned, however, that the tourism infrastructure remains relatively small-scale, but wine tastings and vineyard visits are increasingly becoming part of the visitor experience.
Because production is limited and much of it is consumed locally, tasting Fogo wines on the island offers an opportunity to experience a product that is not widely available outside Cape Verde.
Final Thoughts
Fogo’s mineral-rich volcanic soils, abundant sunshine, high elevation, and cooling Atlantic influences combine to create a distinctive terroir unlike any other in Cape Verde.
For visitors exploring the archipelago, Fogo offers a rare opportunity to experience one of Africa’s most unusual wine regions firsthand.
Whether you enjoy it dining in São Filipe or at a winery in Chã das Caldeiras, Fogo’s wines tell the story of an island shaped by fire, yet remarkably well suited to the art of winemaking.
And don’t forget to look for it on the wine lists of restaurants on other islands. It can make an interesting companion when paired with local dishes.
Plan Your Cape Verde Adventure
Ready to start planning your trip to Cape Verde ? Check out my Cape Verde Travel Guide for insider tips on top attractions, local culture, music, island‑hopping, and suggested hotels.
Make the most of your visit by discovering everything this incredible archipelago has to offer. For arrival and departure logistics, visit my Cape Verde Airport Guide.
