Portugal Please: Herdade da Malhadinha Nova

My Portuguese adventure coming to a close, I was left with only one more night to savour before flying back to Blighty. Good thing my last night was in an absolutely fantastic setting! Otherwise, I might have started to doubt for a second the hospitality showed to me throughout this lovely little country as well as the foodie expertise that’d gone into the execution of my Festival of Food itinerary. As the trip unfolded though, I never once questioned the restorative benefits of my adeptly planned week-long ramble through Portugal. Indeed, I arrived back home eager to share the stories of my time abroad. The story I’m sharing today is one of a luxury homestead that’s an easily recommendable destination: Herdade da Malhadinha Nova.

I’d love to visit Malhadinha again (and again), if only for the golden early evening light and the expansive farm’s rural quiet. Aside from that, the fact that the food, wine, landscape, service, room … etc … were all of superior – give-me-a-moment-to-let-all-the-grandeur-sink-in – quality just sorta seemed like an especially splendid bonus.

Located at the end of a winding dirt road and set amid 450 hectares of rolling farmland and vineyards, visiting the estate was like diving into the pages of a Condé Nast spread about discovering some idyllic getaway. The sights round the farm – nesting storks and all sorts of waterfowl, an infinity pool with views over the vineyards, the low and traditional farmhouses (and no sight or sound of the near-ish highway or anything that might be deemed less than perfectly bucolic) – lulled me nicely. And my room was – a 90 square metre suite featuring mega-bed, mega-bath, cantilevered stairs and all mod cons – was probably the nicest accommodation I experienced during my trip.

Yeah, this place was swell. Horseback riding, canoeing, hot air balloon rides, a luxury spa … if there’s something scenic to do in the Alentenjo countryside, they appear offer it here. And if there’s something exquisite to taste, they probably have that to share with guests too.

Dinner at the estate’s restaurant delighted and intrigued. From the crab and pea soup to the fresh cheese crème brulee with pumpkin ice cream, I was blown away the flavours and by how much (virtually all) of my meal was sourced locally if not actually from the very estate itself. Malhadinha raises its own free ranging, acorn munching black pigs and herd of Alentejo DOP cattle; it has its own own olive grove and makes its own range of wines. Michelin starred Executive Chef Joaquin Koerper does a bang up job bringing all that’s seasonal and region together in a most delicious way. And as for the wines, well, what I sipped included a few of the best had during my incredibly vino-licious week in Portugal.

Be sure to check back soon for future instalments of my Portugal Please miniseries.