The island of São Jorge is located in the central group of the Azores archipelago and is one of the so-called islands of the triangle (São Jorge, Pico and Faial). It is formed by extremely steep slopes and has very high cliffs, and its flatter areas are located very close to the sea – the so famous and known fajãs.
This is the main characteristic of São Jorge and in all it has about 70 fajãs, one of the largest being Fajã dos Vimes.
Fajã dos Vimes is located in Ribeira Seca, in Calheta, the island’s municipality. It is protected by a slope about 400 meters high.
As in many of the other fajãs, the local population lives from agriculture and the family economy, such as coffee and the handmade manufacture of the famous São Jorge high point quilts.
Due to its specific microclimate, this fajã provides unique conditions for coffee plantation and production, which is a rare case in Europe.
The coffee plantations are owned by the Nunes family. They produce the coffee behind their homes and the coffee is sold in their coffee.
About 100 to 150 kg of coffee are produced annually. The beans are grown, roasted and served in the only coffee of Fajã. The coffee has an intense and unique aroma, those who taste it say it is unmistakable. The coffee will have arrived to fajã in the XIX century, coming from Brazil.
At the top of the coffee you can find the Casa de Artesanato Nunes where the large rough wooden looms that give origin to the so known high point quilts or blankets of São Jorge are maneuvered.
These bedspreads are exclusively made in this fajã and the coffee is organic, probably the only one in Europe to be produced this way.
Fajã dos Vimes, besides the handicraft and coffee production, presents a unique beauty and a trail that you should follow, the PR9SJO. Access the link for more information about this walking trail.
