Villa Covela

Among the Vines

This villa for rent in Portugal is a great chance to experience firsthand what it is like to live on a working vineyard. Enjoy strolls among the vines, wine-tasting and farm-to-table food, all with the creature comforts of modern living – and breathtaking views of the Douro to boot.

Winding down a village road toward Quinta de Covela, an estate on the Douro river near the town of Baião, about 90 minutes’ drive from Oporto airport, we find the entrance to Villa Covela on the left, opposite Covela’s first vineyards. Behind its sturdy steel gate, the modern, four-bedroom guest house nestles into the rocky hillside, complete with its own secluded pool and panoramic river views.

Contrasting to the rustic architecture at the winery opposite, the villa is distinctly modern and comfortably furnished in contemporary style. From the panoramic veranda that runs the length of the spacious living room and well-equipped kitchen, the river views are breath-taking and even the pool has a view. For more sheltered dining al fresco, there is a patio hewn out of the sheer granite hillside. Breakfast is normally left prepared for you in the kitchen.

Downstairs, all four bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms and direct access to the pool area and to the two-car garage. There is one master suite, one double and two twin suites. The twins can be converted to doubles on request.

This is an ideal villa for rent in Portugal for large groups or families.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

At the villa there is a laundry room with washer and dryer next to the garage, though a laundry service can be provided on request.

Take a five-minute stroll down past the enchanting ruins of the 16th-century manor house that gave the estate its name, and you reach the hub of vineyard activity – the winery, the visitors’ terraces and the kitchens.

Here you are welcome to taste, have lunch or take a stroll through the organically-farmed vineyards. There are several marked footpaths and romantic stone tables and viewpoints dotted around the vineyard, its cork oak forests and fruit orchards.

This quinta, formerly owned by the late Manoel de Oliveira, one of Europe’s most prominent film directors, produces scintillatingly fresh white and rosé wines, but all the wines produced by the owners, Lima&Smith, frizzante vinho verde from Tormes, and reds and Ports from Quinta de Boavista and Tecedeiras, are available for tasting and pairing with meals. These can be served in the villa, on one of the Quinta’s terraces, or upstairs in the cozy, stone dining room.

Guests love the contrast of modern comfort at the villa and old-world rusticity at the Quinta. During high summer, the owners can arrange fado or jazz concerts, with dinner served al fresco in the ruins of the manor house. This is truly an unforgettable experience.

AROUND

The Douro is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and there are plenty of other quintas to visit, boat trips to take, the charming Douro museum to visit, or day trips to take to the historic cities of Guimarães, Lamego or Vila Real. Oporto is 90 minutes away by car or by train, leaving from the local Aregos station.

The nearest village with a bakery, grocers and supermarket is about a 10-minute drive. The staff are on hand to help with day-to-day questions, bookings and extra meal requests.

LOCATION

Quinta de Covela, near Baião, Portugal. Nearest airport: Oporto (50 miles).

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Year round