Blandy's Wine Lodge
Blandy's Wine Lodge features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Funchal. Give it roughly ~45 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type historic
- Suggested visit ~45 min
- Funchal Funchal guide
About Blandy's Wine Lodge
A historic Madeira-wine lodge in central Funchal, on the site of a Franciscan convent, where old casks age in warm cellars and tastings run through the island's famous fortified wines.
Blandy's Wine Lodge, the Old Blandy Wine Lodge or Adegas de São Francisco, stands in the very centre of Funchal on the site of a former Franciscan convent. The Blandy family's wine business was founded in 1811 by John Blandy, and in 1824 he consolidated this site, which has been the heart of the family's Madeira-wine trade for seven generations. Its historic buildings hold hundreds of casks and vats of wine ageing slowly in warm, dim rooms, each with its own temperature and humidity.
Madeira is a fortified wine, aged by heating and oxidation, a method born in the days when the island was a port of call for ships crossing the oceans and the wine improved on the long, hot voyages. Blandy's ages its finest wines by the slow canteiro method, on wooden beams in the roof. A three-room museum shows old manuscripts, a 17th-century wine press and the irons used to brand the casks, and tastings run through the four noble styles, from the dry Sercial to the sweet Malmsey.
Did you know? The Blandy family's Madeira-wine business was founded in 1811, and the lodge, on the site of a former Franciscan convent, has been the heart of their trade for seven generations.
How long is a visit to Blandy's Wine Lodge?
Set aside roughly ~45 min for Blandy's Wine Lodge. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Blandy's Wine Lodge worth your time?
Blandy's Wine Lodge is among the 13 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Funchal, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Funchal
Day 1 of the Funchal in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Blandy's Wine Lodge
Preview the Funchal tour free in the Gingerguide app.