A charming destination to discover the natural wonders and vineyards of the Douro valley, these vacation rentals among the region's most celebrated vines were created and cultivated by a wine lover whose passion started with the grapes and ended up as an opportunity for guests to share the unique culture of the area.

Starting in 2013 with an inaugural bottle of white, the owner began the project without a winery or vineyard of her own, but in 2017 found two small parcels belonging to the family of an accomplished and dedicated viticulturist from the verdant River Pinhão Valley. The magnificent vines, which are around 50 years old, also produced the very first Morphosis red and an idea was born.

As she became more closely linked to the land, the idea of developing a sustainable enterprise added a new element: a holistic hospitality concept that incorporated the winery with a typical rural house in the local Douro style.

Comprised of three separate units (Alfredo, Franca, and Pedreira), the first-floor accommodations Pedreira and Alfredo can be combined to create one unit with a private terrace that can sleep up to four. However, the ground floor and upper floor can only be accessed by an exterior stair. Or you can combine the three together for larger groups.

Individually each of the three accommodations recalls the provincial charms and traditions of the valley and have been altered very little, with simple whitewashed interiors and rustic furnishings along with welcoming comforts.

From the vine, the wine, the culture, and the people - each is inseparable.

This home has been Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle Certified for 2021, for demonstrating compliance with the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals, engaging employees in a common project, and being positively valued by their customers.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

A tasting of two Morphosis wines (white and red) is included in each stay. Concierge service for the Douro Demarcated Region is provided.

Exclusive events can be organized, with prices available upon request. The Alfredo accommodation unit is about 85sqm in size, about half of which is outdoors on a terrace overlooking the village. Events can be held for a maximum of 8 people.

The owners can also organize a picnic of regional and seasonal products in the vineyard overlooking the Pinhão River Valley, or exclusive wine tastings with the producers. Both are offered for a maximum of 6 people.

PORTUGAL'S LUSH INTERIOR VALLEYS AND SPECTACULAR NATIONAL PARKLANDS

Just an hour inland from Porto, the rural Vila Real Valley around the town of Celeirós do Douro is dotted with charming villages among the green landscapes and rivers.

The small village is 20 minutes from the town of Vila Real, a quiet and historic university town, which is surrounded by magnificent parklands including the lesser traveled Parque Natural da Serra do Alvao, with its lush valleys and trekking routes through majestic mountains.

The UNESCO city of Guimarães is under an hour's drive from the property and is a beautiful and historic town with a picturesque medieval center and a thousand-year-old castle and a massive 15th-century palace perched opposite the town. Once the capital of Portugal, it was named the European Capital of Culture in 2012.

Portugal's third-largest city of Braga is also an hour away and worth a look. It is well known as a place of legendary traditions and festivals including the elaborate Semana Santa. Its historic center is closed to vehicles, offering a great opportunity to wander its maze of narrow lanes and explore the Baroque architecture and plazas lined with cafes and shops.

Further north (depending on how much time you have) is the stunning Peneda-Geres National Park and World Heritage Biosphere. A vast expanse of wilderness, it is Portugal’s only national park with multiple entrance points leading up to the Spanish border.

LOCATION

Celeirós do Douro, Portugal. Nearest Airport: Francisco Sá Carneiro Porto Airport (110km)

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Year round