Lagar of Diogo Fernandes Faleiro


The Lagar of Diogo Fernandes Faleiro is an ancient winepress, hewn from riverbank rocks, situated in the civil parish of Santo Espírito in the municipality of Vila do Porto, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.

History

Constructed after 1579 by Diogo Fernandes Faleiro, the press was known for producing of wine annually.
As the chronicler Gaspar Frutuoso described him:
This property-owner was integral in the Azorean colonization of Brazil, supporting the immigration of family members and impoverished local residents to Brazil during the 16th century. Frutuoso also expanded its owner, stating his philanthropic works associated with early migration:

Architecture

The lagar is located at the mouth of the Ribeira de Aveiro, in the village of Maia, on the southwestern coast of the island. It is situated at the base of a high cliff, where the waterfall of Aveiro cascades to the ravine floor, then on to the sea.
The wine-press is an archaic form hewn from a large boulder and rocks along the ravine's left bank. It is identifiable for the roughly square basin that was used to collect and press grapes, with an opening from where the juice was extracted.