Alonso Miguel highlights historic investment in support for preserving traditional vineyard and orchard landscapes - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática

The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, clarified, in response to a parliamentary request, that the Azorean Government, through the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action, has been making an unprecedented public investment in the preservation, recovery and maintenance of traditional vineyard landscapes in "currais" (stone-walled fields) and terraces,    and terraces, as well as traditional orchards.

Alonso Miguel stated that "this effort has mainly focused on classified areas of significant landscape and environmental value, namely protected landscapes, coastal 'fajãs' (small coastal plains), island nature parks and biosphere reserves, where unprecedented levels of investment have been made in recent years."

The government official stated that "this system has proved decisive in halting the progressive abandonment of traditional vineyards and orchards on the islands of Pico, Faial, São Jorge, Graciosa, Terceira and Santa Maria. This has led to the consolidation of agricultural landscapes whose heritage, environmental and identity value is relevant, as well as ensuring the preservation of unique traditional structures, such as vineyard 'currais'."

Alonso Miguel revealed that “the overall support granted under this system amounted to more than €1.9 million in 2025, representing an increase of 11.7% compared to 2020, when investment stood at around €1.7 million.”

"There was also significant growth in the area under support. In 2025, support covered an area of 962 hectares, corresponding to an increase of 14.5% compared to the 840 hectares considered in 2020," he added.

The government official also highlighted "the special importance of this support system, specifically for the preservation of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture Landscape, accounting for about 93% of the overall amount allocated in 2025." He added that "the island of Pico currently has approximately 856 hectares of supported vineyard area, with around 89% of the total classified area covered by support in the Region, making an exceptional contribution to the recovery and preservation of this unique landscape, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site."

Alonso Miguel clarified that "investment in this support system will be further increased in 2026. The Investment Plan from the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action allocates approximately €2.1 million, representing an increase of over 10% compared to the 2025 figures and 23.5% compared to 2020.

The Regional Secretary also explained that since 2021, and in view of the amount already planned for 2026, the PSD/CDS/PPM coalition Regional Government has invested more than €11.5 million in this support system. In just six years, this represents an investment value 45% higher than the overall support allocated over 16 years, between 2005 and 2020, by previous governments, which totalled slightly less than €8 million.

For Alonso Miguel, “the figures prove that never before has so much been invested in the preservation of traditional vineyard and orchard landscapes as in recent years, both in terms of investment and the area supported, reflecting a clear and consistent commitment to protecting the Region’s landscape heritage and developing the wine sector.”

Alonso Miguel reiterated "the commitment to continue this growing and sustained financial effort, which is crucial for the economic, social, cultural, ecological and environmental development of these classified areashis regard, he expressed his "satisfaction with the very positive developments registered over the last six years, both in terms of the investment made and the size of the area recovered and preserved."

Concluding, the government official stressed that "this incentive system has played a decisive role in ensuring the economic sustainability of wine production associated with traditional landscapes, supporting the maintenance of very demanding agricultural structures, such as vineyard 'currais' and terraces.  This has significantly improved conditions for producers and companies in the sector to continue their excellent work, particularly regarding the production of high-quality wines that deserve distinction, prestige and international recognition."

"Accordingly, it is a support system that is essential for continuing on a path of success, with the creation of products of excellence, leveraging a unique landscape as well as an ecological and cultural heritage as a differentiating factor. This is the case, for example, with wines produced in these traditional landscapes, which have gained recognition in international markets, as evidenced by numerous prizes and distinctions in leading international competitions, projecting the image of the Region abroad," highlighted Alonso Miguel.