Grape cultivation on the island of Pico started in the 15th century. The export of wine to Europe was an important business until phylloxera plagues destroyed the vineyards in the second half of the 19th century. Since then, wine has mainly been produced for local consumption. The vineyards with their protective walls of basaltic rock have remained in their original style, so that the landscape has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.