The Vicinity

Évora
Herdade dos Alfanges is located 20 minutes from Évora, the capital of the region called “Alto Alentejo”.  Évora is a UNESCO world heritage site and has a historical past dating back before the Romans.  It is a must for the interested traveller.  Best website: http://evunix.uevora.pt/~femi/porttow/evora.html

Local Villages
There are three historic villages in the vicinity of the property: Alvito, Viana do Alentejo and Vila Nova da Baronia. The property finds itself almost equally placed in the middle of a triangle of which each of the points is one of the villages.

Alvito is a very old town with its own castle that has since been turned into a pousada. The village was once the residence of a Baron who was instructed by the King of Portugal at the time to hold the land against the dreaded Moors from the south. There was a large army stationed here and they were 'fed' and looked after by the people of Vila Nova da Baronia. Vila Nova da Baronia before the 1750's used to be called Vila Nova do Alvito. Alvito is the smallest municipality in Portugal and its only responsibility is the village of Vila Nova da Baronia.

Local Wineries
The village of Alvito and the city of Evora are both in regional zones recognised by the Portuguese government as producing very good wines. The Alentejo is known for its full bodied rich red wines. It is the perfect place to produce them as the summers are hot and dry and the winters cold enough to ensure that the wine doesn't over ferment and matures gracefully.

Internationally, the most famous wines are from the Cartuxa, Quinta do Carmo and the Esporao estates.

The Herdade do Esporão,  www.esporao.com, is a 600 hectare vineyard that is the largest on the Iberian Peninsula.  It has a fantastic restaurant that we recommend for lunch with the very finest of Portuguese cuisine; there is also a cellar that you can visit for wine tasting and purchasing.  Herdade de Cartuxa can also be visited and a tour can be organised of the premises and wines purchased directly.

 Local Pottery
The nearest town, Viana do Alentejo, has a potter that produces local wares.  The little shop is directly linked to the workshop and is very traditional.  If you are interested in having a traditional plate or jug personalised, or are wishing to design your own, this is the place to go. In Évora there are several large market type stands that sell pottery and also some specialist shops.

Arraiolos Carpets
These carpets were made famous by Mr Rockefeller who adorned his homes with them.  These carpets are made all over Portugal but originate in the town of Arraiolos.  For a relatively little cost you can choose colours, designs and bespoke sizes of these fabulous carpets.