Porto de Abrigo

This historical place is located at the São Vicente waterfront, among many restaurants. Starting with the beautiful building, designed and built in 1924, aimed for the storage of several goods coming from Funchal, with the ships docked just in front, when the sea so allowed. The most famous ships that carried out this transportation were “Gavião”, “Bútio” and “Falcão”. When returning to Funchal, the ships transported wine casks from the Northern coast of the island, which were stored in here. Even though, from 1931, with the construction of the road to São Vicente, the sea transport suffered a decline, it still remained for a couple of years. At the time, this building was known as “Armazém do Calhau” (Calhau’s Warehouse) and was quickly transformed into a winery, with the construction of an artisanal winepress for the pressing of the grapes.

Nowadays, and despite being a location with over 100 years old, it benefits from its history and was transformed into a place where everything happens, naturally. Several types of drinks are served, highlighting those typical in Madeira. Starting with the Madeira wines and the Madeiran table wines, followed by wines from other Portuguese regions. And there are always appetisers to accompany the wine. At the back, there is a small museum that recollects the foundation and evolution of this house. You can drink all night long, until you want…