Female Entrepreneurship

Accommodation that impresses

Words: Susana Ribeiro


Accommodation in Portugal is internationally recognised. Portuguese hospitality is said to be second to none. And there is such a range of quality accommodation that it can cater to every traveller’s taste. In this issue, we turn the spotlight on various women running unique businesses inspired by the dream of welcoming people from all over the world. Of course, no endeavour is the work of just one person! In hospitality, there are always many names working to make the dream come true. But in this piece, we’re highlighting the role of four women who have been involved in hospitality and wine tourism from different parts of Portugal.


Terra Rosa Country House & Vineyards

Minho

In the Minho region, just over 10 kilometres from Ponte de Lima, all the décor at the Terra Rosa Country House & Vineyards is the work of Eliana Rosa. Rosa and her father are the brains behind this piece of land which, with vineyards in the mix, aims to offer a very different kind of stay: slow living. In 2021, a rural designer hotel sprang up at the 18th century Quinta de Codeçosa, although the grapes were already growing here on 50 hectares of vineyards that produce the wines for the Adega de Ponte de Lima. The beauty of this place is to be found in the details: natural produce combined to offer a connection to the earth; a place far from home that makes you feel at home. There’s a rustic feel but also sophistication, with furniture that has come from the other side of the world. It is a journey to the four corners of the earth without leaving the Minho region. A stay at the Terra Rosa Country House & Vineyards includes activities such as wine tastings, picnics, gastronomic and handicraft workshops and even a chance to take part in the olive and chestnut harvests. Oh, and the outdoor pool is heated!

The décor at the Terra Rosa is inspired by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, which means embracing the imperfection of both objects and human beings. There is beauty in what is imperfect, impermanent and incomplete.

Rua de São Pedro de Calvelo, Ponte de Lima, Portugal
Email: info@terrarosa.pt


Quinta de Lourosa

Lousada

In Lousada, the Quinta de Lourosa is the perfect place for a little break from the city. The oenologist and head of wine tourism, Joana de Castro, is the face behind the business begun by her father, Rogério de Castro, known as ‘Senhor do Vinho Verde’, a professor of viticulture. As a father and daughter committed to a life among the vineyards, they decided to open their doors to rural tourism and welcome travellers who want to get to know this area of Portugal better.

As well as producing vinho verde, the Quinta de Lourosa boasts an 18th-century stone farmhouse with a choice of accommodation — there are six bedrooms and one full apartment — and an enormous garden, providing the perfect setting to slow down and enjoy the country air. The swimming pool overlooking the vineyards is exquisite, and you can admire the sunset while sampling the homegrown wines and regional products.

Quinta de Lourosa wine is an award-winning and recognised product. The grapes are grown using integrated production, with a vineyard management system created by the owner, the LYS system, which is the Quinta’s hallmark. Joana de Castro is the winemaker who runs all of the wine tourism experiences. The activities include guided tours of the vineyards and winery, followed by a wine tasting with commentary; you can also fit in a visit to São Pedro de Ferreira, with wine tasting, a regional snack and a tour around the historic centre of Penafiel; and there’s a one-day guided tour of the Monastery of Santa Maria de Pombeiro and the historic Pão-de-Ló house in Margaride, also with wine tasting. It also includes a regional lunch, a visit to São Pedro de Ferreira, wine tasting and a small afternoon meal. Plenty of things to try!

Estrada Santa Maria de Sousela 1913, 4620–469 Lousada, Portugal
Email: info@quintadelourosa.com


Herdade do Sobroso

Vidigueira

It all began with the dream of Sofia Ginestal Machado’s father. António wanted to create wines and offer wine tourism in a stylish hotel. In 2000, the family bought the Herdade do Sobroso estate in Vidigueira, right in the heart of the Alentejo.

The Luxury Wine Hotel is less than 10km from the Alqueva reservoir, and boasts two comfortable houses (with an outdoor pool) to host travellers venturing into the deep Alentejo. All told, the Casa da Quinta has five rooms and the Casa da Cegonha two. The estate has a restaurant serving a wide variety of typical Alentejo cuisine — accompanied by local wines, of course!

The Herdade do Sobroso and its 1600 hectares produce many wines. The company is run by Director Sofia Ginestal Machado, who together with her husband, Filipe Teixeira Pinto, are currently the faces of the business which has the whole family behind it. Located in the municipality of Vidigueira, the Herdade do Sobroso has the Mendo mountain range to the north, the River Guadiana to the east and the Alentejo plains to the south.

The activities on offer at the Herdade do Sobroso include a wine tour with a guided tasting of traditional cheeses from the Alentejo and another that includes Alentejo sausages. It is also possible to go on a wine tour with a tasting and lunch of traditional cuisine. If guests wish, they can take part in outdoor activities: from hot air ballooning to bike rides, kayaking or boating on the Alqueva reservoir, horse and carriage rides, fishing, relaxing massages, yoga and meditation with Tibetan bowls or a photographic safari in a jeep (accompanied by a guide) to observe the local fauna and flora. It is also possible to book a birdwatching or stargazing activity. Note: all activities must be booked in advance.

RIC 1265 — Outeiro André — Sobreiras Altas — 7570–345 Grândola, Portugal
Email: reservas@serenada.pt


A Serenada

Grândola

At Grândola in the south of Portugal, A Serenada is a property that has been in the family of Jacinta Sobral da Silva for over 300 years. As a child at her father’s side, she watched the farm grow and the first vineyards appear. In recent years, she decided to roll up her sleeves and take charge of the business, where she is now both manager and oenologist.

Together with her father, Jacinta saw the planting of the vines that would produce the Cepas Cinquentenárias Tinto. In 2008, with Jacinta managing A Serenada, new vineyards were planted and it was here that the first licensed winery in the municipality was built in 2009; and it has never stopped growing. The wine tourism business began in 2013, and the number of rooms has increased in recent years. There are eight in total. ‘The hotel came about from our desire to share with others this place that we love and consider unique. So, from what was designed as a family home, we have developed our boutique accommodation, where we want each guest to feel truly at home’, they say.

In a region strongly influenced by the Serra de Grândola hills, where the cork oaks grow cheek by jowl with the pine forest, there are countless outdoor activities available, including picnics, hiking, cycling, horse riding and boating. There is a swimming pool and a beach with a long stretch of sand (Aberta Nova) 15 minutes away by car. A true seaside paradise.

There are also wine tastings and workshops to learn about the winemaking process and an introduction to wine tasting. A family business that also enables you to discover the region.

Apartado 61, 7960–011 Vidigueira, Portugal
Email: geral@herdadedosobroso.pt

Zeen is a next generation WordPress theme. It’s powerful, beautifully designed and comes with everything you need to engage your visitors and increase conversions.

Top 3 Stories