Who We Are
Our history
How It All Began
Idônea was born from curiosity, vision, and an unexpected encounter with an extraordinary place.
The story begins with Canadian entrepreneur Pete Luckett, founder of Luckett Vineyards and Pete’s Frootique. Driven by boundless energy and a love of exploration, Pete spent decades traveling the world — from South America to Southeast Asia, New Zealand, and beyond — always seeking new flavors, cultures, and landscapes.
In February 2020, his curiosity led him to the Azores, a breathtaking archipelago of nine islands in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean. He chose São Miguel, the largest of the islands. What was meant to be a two-month stay was cut short to just two weeks by the onset of the pandemic. Yet, in those few days, Pete found himself captivated by the island’s lush nature, authenticity, and peaceful rhythm.
On the 12th day of his visit, a chance encounter with a real estate agent changed everything. Pete insisted he wasn’t looking to buy property — until he heard about an old farmhouse on the island’s south coast. Curiosity took over. The next morning, Pete visited the land… and fell in love all over again.
Though the property was rundown, he saw something special: a stunning landscape brimming with potential, waiting to be brought back to life.
Everything unfolded quickly. An offer was made on the spot, accepted immediately, and the following morning Pete became the proud new owner of this remarkable piece of São Miguel — and of his next great adventure.
Over the next three years, moving between Nova Scotia and São Miguel, Pete dedicated himself to restoring and transforming the property. Every detail was shaped to reflect his values: authenticity, comfort, and a deep connection to the land.
And so, Idônea was born — an old Portuguese word meaning “perfect match” or “trustworthy”. It expresses the harmony we aim to offer every guest: a place where nature, comfort, and experience come together seamlessly.
Carlos Tavares Furtado
Farm Manager/ Custodian
After leaving school at the age of 9, Carlos spent most of his working life involved in local agriculture. When Pete purchased the Ponta Garça farm, Carlos had already been a fixture on the property for the previous seven years.
Sustainability is Carlos’s middle name! Bringing a vast knowledge of local food, garden planning, regional experience, and with his hands on approach, he’s got what it takes to produce great tasting fresh food.
Fun fact: His claim to fame is that he is the cousin to Nelly Furtado!
Eurico Tavares Furtado
Gardner
The son of Carlos... has been on board for 2 years at Idônea.
With a great eye for detail, he is the perfect groundsman for our property. Most days you’ll find Eurico operating a grass trimmer, lawnmower, pruning fruit trees, or just keeping the estate looking beautiful!
Prior to Idônea he has worked in the local dairy industry, and his future goal is to own his own cattle farm. Also, his food interest is alive and well as he has spent 2.5 years attending a cooking and pastry program.
If you chat with him around the farm, you only have to mention fast cars... especially his favourite brand, “Audi”, and you’ll win his heart.
He is also a master machete operator (so watch out)!
Elisabete Pereira Nicolau
General Manager
Elisabete has hospitality in her DNA. Over the years, she has worked across different areas of tourism in the Azores — from whale watching to aviation — experiences that have allowed her to meet travelers from around the world and understand what truly makes a journey special.
During several years at Ponta Delgada Airport, she became accustomed to the unpredictable rhythm of arrivals and departures, assisting passengers in finding solutions, reorganizing plans, and often simply taking a moment to breathe after a long day of travel. It was there that she developed what now defines her hosting style: a genuine care for people, the ability to anticipate needs, and a natural calm in the face of the unexpected.
Since 2020, she has closely accompanied the growth of Idônea, helping shape it into a place where every detail is thoughtfully considered. For Elisabete, true hospitality is not about protocol, but about how you make someone feel — welcomed, at ease, and truly at home.
She speaks Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French.
Buoy
Assistant Property Greeter
Pete inherited Buoy through a Nova Scotia expat connection shortly after moving to Ponta Garça. Buoy has embraced his role as master of chickens, head of security and seeker of belly rubs.
Don’t be fooled by his snaggleteeth he’s a lover, not a fighter!
Pete Luckett
Owner
Pete has been in the food business for 55 years. His early days in Nottingham, England were working at open air markets selling fresh fruits and vegetables. This led to his first own produce store, Pete’s Frootique in Victoria Market, Nottingham in 1974. Pete was 21 at the time and after 4 successful years sold the business to a fellow green grocer, to leave on a grand travel adventure taking him around the globe.
Fast forward a few years to 1982, and fate found him broke and looking for a new opportunity in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. The second Frootique was born, a 12’ stall in the Saint John City Market. The 300 dollar investment led to several gourmet food stores throughout New Brunswick and Nova Scotia over a 33 year span.
In 1984 Pete joined the CBC television news show and became Canada’s “food guy” for 14 years before changing networks to work with CTV. During this time Pete launched his around the world food show... “The Food Hunter” which aired on the FoodNetwork 2001-2003.
Pete ventured into the winery and restaurant business and opened Luckett Vineyards in 2011, located in the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia, Canada.
In 2015 Pete sold his Pete’s Frootique stores to a national Canadian food chain, at this time employing over 400 people.
Pete never lost his love for travel and exploration, in 2020 he decided to travel to the Azores. On his 12th day of visiting Sao Miguel, Pete made an offer on a beautiful oceanfront property. It was an old farmstead located in Ponta Garca. Two days later
Pete had secured the deal and Idônea was born (and so was Covid!), plus the idea of a farm to table restaurant.
Pete has six children and eight grandchildren located in the UK and Canada. His daughter Geena has become the operating partner in Luckett Vineyards, while Pete has chosen to develop the new Azorean business.
Apart from food, speed has been a part of his life which included racing motorcycles and cars... and a little bungee jumping once in a while!
