Herdade da Chamine

Commune with nature at this remote and alluring home-from-home in the heart of the Alentejo

Cutting through the rolling green of the Alentejo, past ancient holm and cork oaks, your arrival at the Chaminé estate could scarcely be more bucolic. A final loop in the winding farm track sweeps you up to the elegant façade of this newly built herdade where a butler and honey-eyed Weimaraner dog will be first in greeting you: it seems a fitting welcome to a country retreat where gentility is synonymous with enthusiastic hospitality.

Chaminé is the apple of Marta Galva de Mello’s eye, whose love of hunting and riding drew her to the vast, open landscapes of southern Portugal. She fashioned her farmhouse and its 4 guest bedrooms around a vast drawing room, in which you naturally slip into house-party mode. Cushion-strewn sofas, open fireplaces, family portraits, antique heirlooms, books, magazines and an honesty bar bear little hint of ‘hotel’. This is a home with an aristocratic mien yet Herdade da Chaminé wraps you in an easy embrace and is deeply conducive to the Big Relax.

Highs

• This is pastoral peacefulness at its most picture-perfect: there are horses to ride, and the surrounding landscape is beautiful
• Marta’s enthusiasm for the Alentejo is infectious: heed her recommendations and discover a side that is rarely seen by visitors
• Chaminé is just a hop away from several award-winning wineries
• Meals are an occasion, plus there are several excellent restaurants within easy driving range
• There's a lovely swimming pool with canopied daybeds, and the weather is consistently good (sunny blue skies and 20+ degrees from March)

Lows

• Meals are taken communally (a plus for some)
• Some might find the enthusiasm for hunting not to their taste
• Children are only welcome if they're aged under 2 or over 13