Housed in a 17th-century former Franciscan monastery in central Funchal, this historic lodge ages Madeira wine in oak casks under the roof timbers of the old friary. Guided tours cover the fortified wine's unusual heating process and end with a tasting of several styles, from dry Sercial to sweet Malmsey.
Blandy's Wine Lodge occupies a former 17th-century Franciscan monastery in central Funchal, where rows of oak casks now age Madeira's famous fortified wine beneath the original timber roof of the old friary. Guided tours walk visitors through the lodge's cask rooms and explain the estufagem process unique to Madeira wine, in which the wine is gently heated over months to develop its distinctive caramelized flavor, a technique originally discovered by accident during long sea voyages through tropical heat. Tours typically conclude with a seated or standing tasting of several styles, ranging from the drier Sercial and Verdelho to the sweeter Bual and Malmsey, giving a sense of the range fortified Madeira wine covers. A full visit, including the tour and tasting, takes 45 minutes to an hour, and the lodge also has a shop selling bottles not widely available outside the island. Tours run more frequently in the late morning, and the historic wood-beamed cask rooms, largely unchanged since the monastery era, are a highlight for visitors interested in the building's history as much as the wine itself.
| Admission | Adult €8 (~$8.64) with tasting · Child Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Hours | 9:30AM–6:30PM Mon–Fri; 10AM–1PM Sat |
| Typical visit | 45–60 minutes |
| Best time | Late morning tours run more frequently than afternoon |
| Getting there | Walkable from central Funchal |
| Address | Avenida Arriaga 28, 9000-060 Funchal, Madeira |
Weather through the year in Madeira
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Madeira.
Location
Avenida Arriaga 28, 9000-060 Funchal, Madeira
32.6469, -16.9106 View on map
Highlights
- Wine aged in oak casks beneath a 17th-century monastery roof
- Guided explanation of Madeira wine's unique estufagem heating process
- Tasting of several Madeira wine styles from dry Sercial to sweet Malmsey
- Historic cask rooms largely unchanged since the building's monastery era
Tips for visiting
- Book a late-morning tour slot, as they run more frequently than afternoon sessions
- Sample all offered styles during the tasting to understand the range from dry to sweet
- Buy a bottle at the on-site shop, which stocks vintages not always available elsewhere
- Allow about an hour for the full tour and tasting without feeling rushed
- Check Saturday hours in advance, as the lodge closes earlier on weekends
When to visit
Late-morning tours run more frequently and are less rushed than the limited afternoon slots.
Accessibility
The lodge occupies a historic monastery building with some uneven floors and steps between rooms, which can limit access for wheelchair users in certain areas.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Blandy's Wine Lodge take?
A guided tour with tasting takes about 45 minutes to an hour.
Is it worth it for kids?
The tour centers on wine tasting and is generally geared toward adults, though children can usually join the cask room portion of the tour.
Is photography allowed inside the lodge?
Yes, photography is generally allowed in the cask rooms and tasting area.