Visit Quinta do Barbusano: A Beautiful Vineyard & Winery on Madeira
Quinta do Barbusano is a family-owned winery nestled in the hills of São Vicente, on Madeira’s scenic northern coast. It was a highlight of my trip to the island!
A visit will take you up a winding country road into the mountains for a unique tasting experience and stunning views.
Key Info on Quinta do Barbusano:
- Reds, whites, roses, and sparkling wines are produced here.
- Tours and tastings are offered daily (reserve in advance).
The 3 Sites I Use for Every Trip
– For tours: Viator
-For travel insurance: Travel Guard
– For rental cars: Discover Cars
Madeira Winery Tours
If you’re looking for a guide and driver to handle the logistics, these two Madeira vineyard and winery tours get excellent reviews:
🍷 Click Here: Quinta do Barbusano & More
🍷 Click Here: Private Madeira Wine Tour
The photos on this post are from a visit to Madeira in the spring (April/May).
Getting to Quinta do Barbusano
Quinta do Barbusano is approximately a 45-minute drive from Funchal, near Sao Vicente, one of Madeira’s best towns. Renting a car and driving around Madeira is really the only way to truly explore the island.
The final approach includes a narrow, gravel road, which overlooks the lush green valley below.
There’s a small parking lot, where you’ll usually find a mix of tourist vans and rental cars.
The Wines Produced
Quinta do Barbusano produces red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines. I was impressed with the catalogue of tasting options.
The staff says the Barbusano Barricas is the most popular. Bottles sell for 20 Euros.
They include:
- White Wines: Crafted from Verdelho and Arnsburger grapes, offering citrus and tropical fruit notes with a crisp finish.
- Reserva White: Aged in oak barrels.
- Rosé: A vibrant pink wine with aromas of tropical fruits, notably watermelon, evoking summer freshness.
- Red Wines: Known for their depth and structure, these wines have gained popularity among visitors.
- Sparkling Wine (Espumante): Features fine bubbles with a mix of fruit and floral notes.
Tastings at the Winery
Advance reservations are recommended, especially during peak seasons.
Tastings are offered Tuesday through Sunday, with sessions bookable at :
- 10:00am
- 11:45am
- 2:30pm
- 4:00pm
The vineyard usually remains open until 6pm.
Each tasting includes six wines. It’s typically a mix of three whites, two reds, and one rosé, paired with local cheeses and chorizo.
If you don’t book a complete tasting, you can still go drink by the glass (or copo). Prices range from 3 Euros to 10 Euros per glass, depending on the kind of wine you order.
Video: Visiting Madeira’s Vineyard & Winery
History of Quinta do Barbusano
Established in 2006, Quinta do Barbusano is a pioneer in producing Madeira’s still table wines.
The estate spans terraced vineyards overlooking the São Vicente valley, offering panoramic views of the Laurisilva forest and volcanic peaks.
Quinta do Barbusano grows grapes on around 70 acres of land, divided up.
They have 12 hectares on site, plus another 12 hectares elsewhere on Madeira. The vineyard also owns 3 hectares on the neighboring island of Porto Santo.
The tasting room complex was built in 2018, and expanded in 2024.
Madeira’s Grape Harvest
The grape harvest season on Madeira typically runs from late August through September, though exact timing varies depending on weather conditions and elevation.
Higher-altitude vineyards, like Quinta do Barbusano usually extend harvest into mid or late September.
During the harvest season, guests can participate in grape picking and traditional foot treading in a stone lagar, offering a hands-on experience and glimpse into Madeira’s winemaking heritage
Where to Buy Madeira Wine
If you enjoy what you sample, you should buy it at the winery because Quinta do Barbusano doesn’t ship abroad.
They don’t even ship wine bottles to the mainland in Portugal!
The wines made here are sold at shops around Madeira, and at the airport in Funchal. Maybe that’ll change if they grow in popularity and scale up even more!
The Vineyard’s Surroundings
When you’re on Madeira, the road trip alone makes Quinta do Barbusano a worthwhile stop. As you wind up the hills, you’ll notice one of the area’s landmarks on a nearby hilltop: the Capela de Nossa Senhora de Fátima.
Built in 1948 by local residents to commemorate the end of World War II, the chapel stands 50 feet tall. The tower’s four facades feature clocks, and it’s climbable. At the top of the 175 steps, you’ll get sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Laurisilva forest, and the quaint village of São Vicente below.
Madeira Vineyard Photos
Here are a few beautiful photos from our time at Quinita do Barbusano:
Booking & Contact
- Address: Caminho Agrícola do Barbusano, 26, São Vicente, Madeira
- Phone: (+351) 291 101 022 or 926 637 730
- Email: reservas@barbusano.pt
The winery is less famous than many other Madeira destinations, like the natural coastal pools, watching “sunset above the clouds” at Pico do Areeiro, or hiking around São Lourenço. Still, it’s growing in popularity, and is definitely on my list to return to on my next visit to Madeira.
