Blandy's Wine Lodge Madeira Wine Tour

Blandy's Wine Lodge, founded in 1811 and located at Avenida Arriaga 28 in central Funchal, runs a guided cellar tour lasting about 90 minutes that traces the production of Madeira wine from grape to bottle. The route passes through the lodge's aging cellars and canteiro rooms, where barrels of wine are heat-matured under the building's own roof rather than in temperature-controlled tanks, a traditional process the guide explains in detail alongside the estate's two-century history exporting wine from the island. The tour finishes with a seated tasting flight, typically two to four wines depending on the tier booked, moving from the dry Sercial grape variety through to the sweet, dessert-style Malmsey, illustrating the full range of Madeira wine's sweetness levels. A 10% discount at the on-site shop is included for those who wish to buy a bottle afterward. Tours run in English and Portuguese in small groups, generally under 20 people, at a steady walking pace with several seated stops; the cellars are indoor and level, making the visit manageable for most mobility levels. Not included is food beyond the tasting pours — visitors who want a meal should plan lunch or dinner separately in the old town nearby. The lodge is open daily except major Portuguese holidays, and booking the higher tasting tier in advance is recommended in peak cruise-ship season when walk-in slots can fill quickly.