The Quinta Santa Luzia – a vineyard in the hills above Madeira’s capital, Funchal – is to become an agro-tourism visitor attraction.

The Blandy family, owners of Quinta Santa Luzia since 1825, is funding the project, which will include a visitor centre and a showcase vineyard. The estimated cost has not been disclosed.

The vineyard will give visitors the chance to experience the growth and harvesting of four grape varieties which go into making Madeira wine.

Surrey-based leisure and tourism consultants The Petersham Group will be advising and project managing the concept.

Keith Thomas, director of The Petersham Group, said: “There is nowhere on the island of Madeira where visitors can experience this aspect of the production of its most famous wine or where the day-to-day life of a working Quinta can be seen and interpreted.”

The Quinta Santa Luzia is scheduled to open in 2008. Details: www.petershamgroup.com