Full Description
Nestled in the arms of the Serra Gardunha Mountains in the Baixa de Beira, in Central Portugal, sits this little piece of heaven on earth called “Di-Vine Quinta”. It has been certified as organic with Sativa for the last 4 years but has been organically farmed for the last 8 years.
Di-Vine Quinta is a traditional stone building. The stone is local quartz-impregnated granite – it sparkles. The walls are about 50cm thick. The stone assures a cool environment in the warmth of the summer and a cozy winter.
There is ample water on the land….3 water mines, 2 streams, and 8 deep ponds – As well as 2 concrete water tanks and a pond for ducks and geese. At present: Mai-Mai and her son Ron-Ron are the geese with 4 Muscovy ducks, 1 drake and his 3 ladies…lady La, Lady Do and Lady Da. These hopefully will stay with the Quinta. The organization of the irrigation system is work in progress.
The house consists of the following: A kitchen dining/living area ( 6.0 x 5.0m, ht. to apex 4.5m, ht. to top of wall 3.25m ) – also warmed by a BRONPI wood burning stove/oven. There are purpose built oak units below a marble work surface and also wall mounted units above. The marble houses a white butler sink with stainless steel mixer taps. Hot water comes from the solar system. The walls and floor area of the kitchen are tiled in a soft gray Italian marble effect. The remaining floor is tiled. The ceilings are vaulted with original beams and the ambiance is very good. Ample electric wall and work surface electrical sockets. Oak double glazed windows in the traditional open-in Portuguese style. This works well with anti-mosquito mesh fitted on the outside of all windows. Wooden oak shutters also on the exterior of the windows.
Bedroom 1 ( 4.5 x 5.0m, ht. to apex 4.5m, ht. to top of wall 3.25m ) converted from the Adega area where the distillation was done and the donkeys housed. It is also spacious and airy — with its own Country Kiln Cast Ironwood burning stove (capable of an all-night burn). This is probably only used about 3 times during the winter, just to warm up the walls. Again the same high vaulted ceilings and main beam. One wall has a wooden dado fitted. The floor is a tiled surround and a Bamboo strand woven wood centre. Oak double glazed window.
Bedroom 2 ( 3.0 x 5.0m, ht. to apex 4.35m, ht. to wall top 3.1m ), converted from a pig-sty. Again the same vaulted ceiling with beam, double glazed oak window, dado, bamboo floor and a beautiful bottle glass round window in the apex of the end wall. There is a large solid oak door and again a Country Kiln cast iron wood burning stove, capable of an all-night burn.
Bedroom 3/Study/TV Room ( 4.0 x 3.2m, ht. to apex 4.9m, ht. to top of wall 3.15m ) is currently used as a study, which has points for a TV. Has bamboo flooring, a solid oak window and glazed door. There is a beam lower than the apex which is ideal for drying herbs.
Bathroom ( 3.2 x 3.0m, ht. to apex 4.0m, ht. to top of wall 3.25m), converted from a pig sty…with the same eclectic inspiration and care as the rest of the Quinta . It is tiled with Italian limestone and mosaics, with a rustic pebbled floor. The centre piece is a black, cast-iron, oval bath of German make (KALDEWEI ) – built for two. The shower is circular ( diameter 1.6m, ht. 2.8m ), converted from the pig house totally tiled in Italian glass mosaics with recessed ceiling lights. Has a normal and Rain shower head. Hot water storage tank is housed in the bathroom and the solar hot water panel is mounted outside on this roof. The shower has to be seen and heard…wonderful acoustics.
There is a tiled offset roof over the bathroom and study giving a shady and sheltered walkway which was continued round the bedrooms and kitchen. All roofs are in traditional Portuguese red terracotta tiles, doubly insulated and boarded on the interior.
Outdoor Kitchen ( 3.0 x 3.125m )- 7 or more months of the year we use an outdoor kitchen which was a former tractor shed. This has ample storage cupboards made of solid pine, a tiled work surface, a gas hob and fittings for an electric cooker should you chose to install one. There is a cold water tap. Spanish Brick Glass tiles to the front and back ensure an open airy work area. There are multiple electric sockets for the work surface.
Outdoor commercial triple sink in stainless steel with 1 hot and 2 cold taps. This is ideal for washing the trays to an Excalibur dehydrator – It sits nestled next to a more formal, small garden with flowers and herbs as well as a fig tree and a bench just to sit on and be.
Large Storage Building ( 7.0 x 3.0m, ht. to ceiling which is sloping 2.6 x 1.9m ) affectionately called “the Hilton” because we stayed in there whilst the rebuild was happening. It was the original wine production area but now is a superb storage building for the many products made on the farm. The “Alchemy” of liquors and other edibles happens here. It has been fully insulated and tiled. You could decide to use this for wine and olives once again. Double glazed modern sliding windows and traditional Portuguese metal door. Electricity is present.
The ‘Washroom’ (3.0 x 2.0m, ht.’s 3.15, 2.5m ) , which was converted from a water tank. It houses the plumbing for a washing machine and dryer, as well as a fridge and freezer. It is home to 3 Excalibur dehydrators which sit on a solid oak wide shelf. There is a wall mounted gas heater (bottled) serving the hot water tap on the outdoor sink. This is one of the creative hubs on the farm, where much food Alchemy happens.
Purpose built wood storage shed ( 2.15 x 2.3m ), to rear of washroom. Comfortably houses a winters worth of wood. There is also a gray water storage tank below this with access cover in the wood shed which is used for the fruit trees on the next terrace.
These 3 buildings form a Courtyard, tiled in traditional Portuguese lime cobbles, with the design of a bunch of grapes forming a focal centre piece. Di-Vine Quinta.
The Adega ( 9.2 x 5.1m, ht.’s 2.65, 2.3m ) – large room with insulated metal roof built against the end of the house and the granite wall. Currently used for making and storing the wine, curing the garlic and onion harvest. Could be a magnificent tool shed or even a garage could be incorporated as there is a sliding door.
Marbled terrace with a compass design, with a fantastic view over the land and of the Gardunha. This would be the perfect location for a Jacuzzi – where you could enjoy the long summer evenings. There is a small storage area for garden furniture built of block and with a metal roof ( 1.6 x 1.3m, ht. 2.0m ).
Traditional stone bread oven, perfect for pizzas and whole roast lamb; it adjoins another terraced area with river stones and a plunge pool.
Purpose built tool shed ( 7.0 x 2.5m, ht.’s 2.6, 2.2m ), this has the highest vantage point on the land…it would make a perfect Granny annex or an Air BnB. Currently used for tool storage, but easy to adapt. It is constructed in block with a tiled roof. Houses the Balon…used for equalizing water pressure from the bore hole. Water filters are also here. Electric light and socket, double glazed metal framed window. There is an ideal space next to it to build a compost toilet and outdoor shower. Small paved area for sitting and enjoying the sunset with a glass of wine.
A 6 sided straw bale building, called the ‘Earth Temple’ ( longest length 6.4m, each side is 3.6m, ht. to apex 4.7m, ht. to top of wall 3.3m ). There are large solid wood double doors and a huge wooden and glass window which fills one complete side. Has a cast iron wood burner.
All accommodation is flexible; the decided usage is your choice.
The farm produces up to a 1000 litres of rich, fruity, port-like wine – from the remaining must is produced the Aguardente distilled in an alambique (copper still), as it has been for centuries. This is used to make delicious organic liqueurs using fruits from the farm. To date they have tangerine, bitter orange, lemon, fig, strawberry, Ginjinha (wild cherry), pear, mulberry and more. It is also used for herbal tinctures made with wild-crafted herbs. The current owners are more than happy to advise on the farms food production.
Olives for olive oil in 2017 = 2500+ kilos and eating Olives (Cordovil mostly), figs (usually 500 kilos), plums, apricots, peach, cherry, orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, apple, mulberry, nesperia, persimmon, pomegranate, almonds and hazelnut are just some of the trees. There is a large vegetable garden with raised beds.
Organic hay bales are produced from the meadow areas of the land, which could be used for rearing animals or more growing. There is a large double chicken pen – enclosed due to foxes, but the ducks and geese roam free in the day.
The land, being just over 5ha, is eligible for a local agricultural grant which will possibly double in 2020 for those farms organically registered. Presently it is about 700 euros yearly. The land is gently terraced and easily accessible for a tractor. There is a honey bee hive with occupants within its own bee garden near to the house.
There is a pile of recently brought granite, enough to construct a “Hobbit House” and the potential for more, by taking down an old storage shed on the lower lands. There could be permission for a 250m2 building, with local council consent – which was obtained for the straw bale building with relative ease. The land has been cleared in line with the recent Government laws for fire protection.
Much has been achieved but there is potential for so much more, the owners are looking for a quick sale so are open to serious offers, viewing is essential as words cannot convey the Di-Vine beauty of this special place and life…………
The area is known as the fruit bowl of Portugal, famous for its cherries and other fruits, fed by the mineral rich waters of the Gardunha (meaning sanctuary). It is an immensely abundant area that naturally leads to creativity…an integral part of the Portuguese culture. The locals are warm and friendly and think nothing of dropping by with a homemade cheese or sausages, or an armful of watermelons. There is a wonderful community spirit here with a strong diverse input of different nationalities. There has been a recent formation of an organic co-operative with weekly markets backed by the local Councils. From the early spring right through the year you can find a local Feste (festival) almost every weekend ….music, dancing, food, drink and even medieval enactments – of which Monsanto and Belmonte are renowned. The pace of life is relaxed and naturally in harmony with nature…it has to be, this is an agricultural area. Rich in history with historic monuments and castles dotted all over Portugal. Life is definitely relaxed here with time to eat, be with family and friends and just enjoy.
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