Wine Country Villa

A Spacious Alenquer Wine Country Villa

Sleek and contemporary, this sophisticated oasis occupies a hilltop in Portuguese wine country, with panoramic vineyard views all around and multiple lounge, bar and dining areas, ideal for a group of 18 guests to spread out comfortably. Four of the home’s six bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms with showers, and two bedrooms are considered “family rooms,” spacious enough to house parents with little ones. The kitchen is generous, equipped with high-end appliances (two ovens, two dishwashers), and the house offers double the living rooms, too, with views of the idyllic, vineyard-striped countryside.

Experiences

Experiences on offer include daily breakfast delivery, in-home wellness and massage treatments, wine tastings and guided vineyard tours, plus hiking and biking adventures. During the holiday months, festive decorations and the cozy, double sided fireplace create an atmosphere of relaxation and celebration.

Around

The property is located in the Portuguese wine region in the village of Alenquer, near Monte Junto, some 35 kilometers from Lisbon in the Campo de Ourique. It sits on a gentle hilltop surrounded by distant vineyards, lush local vines and forests, with views of the mountain in the distance.

Alenquer is of Moorish origin, popularly known as the “vila-presépio” or “crib town” for its village layout, shaped like an amphitheater on a wine country slope. Set about 50 kilometers from the Atlantic coastline, the village is an inland island rising from the vines. Romans made wine in the area, and today it is arguably the country’s most renowned wine region, producing both reds and whites. A medieval castle rises at Alenquer’s center, a Moorish fortification first. The castle fell into disrepair in the late 16th century and was devastated by an earthquake in 1755, but much of the its dramatic stone walls remain intact and the castle is a must-see.

Local wineries, or quintas, offer tastings and tours daily, and feature shops as well. Other area attractions include a convent and churches, a handful of local farms, and a number of family-run restaurants, cafes, and taverns. The Serra de Montejunto is a protected forested landscape dotted with caves, ponds and juniper on gently rolling hills. The area's inclines make for great hiking and mountain biking.

Location

Alenquer, Campo de Ourique, Lisbon area, Portugal. Nearest airport: Lisbon (35 km)

Best time to visit

April to October