About us
We are dedicated to sustainable tourism, nature conservation and agroforestry.
THE HERDADE DE ALAGÃES IS LOCATED IN SOUTHERN PORTUGAL, ALENTEJO, IN MÉRTOLA, BETWEEN THE CASTRO VERDE IBA BIOSPHERE RESERVE AND THE GUADIANA VALLEY NATURAL PARK. WE ARE DEDICATED TO SUSTAINABLE TOURISM, NATURE CONSERVATION AND AGROFORESTRY. THE PROPERTY IS CROSSED BY THE RIBEIRA DE ALVACAR AND THE AREA contains significant BIODIVERSITY – IT IS A GREAT LOCATION FOR BIRDWATCHING. THERE ARE PATHS FOR NATURE WALKS AND BIKING.
THE Three ROOMS WERE RECOVERED AS SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS, KEEPING THE RAMMED EARTH (TAIPA) WALLS, WHICH IS THE TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUE IN ALENTEJO. THE WOOD-OVEN HOUSE WAS ALSO REPURPOSED AS A SMALL SUPPORT KITCHEN. OUtside THERE is a small pool with a seating area. We also have a Private House, CASA DA CHAMINÉ, Built around an old Restored chimney.
Our
story
Herdade de Alagães brings together two properties, Herdade do Pinheiro e Alagães, located in João Serra, in Mértola. Together these properties have about 180 ha, which were farmed by our family for most of the 20th century. In the 1990’s the land was reforested with pine trees (Pinus pinea). We have since added the beautiful Serra Pequena, where there are pastures and shrubs as well as plenty of natural holm oak regeneration.
Our
labour
Soils in this region are shale-based, showing high risk of erosion and reduced suitability for farming. We want to invest in soil improvement overall while working on the recovery of ancient orchards and vegetable gardens, as well as the existing traditional olive groves. Our vision is to create a productive and biodiverse agroforestry mosaic.
The land has significant landscape interest. It is crossed by an intermittent stream, the Ribeira de Alvacar, and fully it is located in the Natura 2000 network (within the Castro Verde IBA Biosphere Reserve). Within the property there are several trails that can be explored on foot or bike.
Houses
The houses were built on a rocky outcrop. In addition to restoring the original buildings, we planted in the backyard a native hedge, fruit trees and herbs in the backyard. The main house is centennial and was fully restored in 2016.
The old barns were recovered in 2018 as bedrooms (project by Roseta Vaz Monteiro Arquitectos). The wood-oven house is now a small kitchen. IN 2022, WE OPENED THE 2-BEDROOM CASA DA CHAMINÉ.
To cool off on warmer days we have two small pools.
