Located in the Atlantic Ocean, some 1,600 kilometres (990 mi) from continental Portugal, the archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine islands, of which three cultivate wine-making grapes for export production: Terceira, Pico and Graciosa.

[2] Located on the American, European and African tectonic plates, the islands of the Azores originated from recent volcanism, and have soils that are shallow in depth, consisting of basalt, traquites,[check spelling] andesites and clay formations.

The vines used in this wine are cultivated in tiny plots, called currais, edged by walls made of loose pebbles, in order to protect the plants from the climate.

[4] The prestigious white wine of the Biscoitos IPR is produced from the dark and rocky volcanic soils on the island of Terceira, marked by bread-like rock formations that allowed the protection from the intemperate climate in the area.

[2] Similarly, the Biscoitos IPR producers employ small plots or curraletas, made of short walls of loose rock, to help protect the plants from the wind.