Malhadinha Nova Estate

“If a guest says, ‘There’s a spider in my room! That’s unacceptable!’, I reply: ‘In that case, you’ve come to the wrong place. The spider is part of the Malhadinha family, and we can’t kill it’.” This may not be the obvious way to promote one of Portugal’s most extraordinary luxurious estates, but Rita doesn’t care. Her disarming frankness is better than any marketing campaign. The spider is important because Nature is important, and the Malhadinha Nova Estate wouldn’t be, and won’t be, what it is without Nature, all creatures great and small included.

The family to which the spider belongs to is numerous. There are horses, wild boars, pigs, cows, sheep, bees, wild birds, and the Soares, fathers and mothers and uncles and aunts, daughters and nephews. The story begins in 1998, when siblings Paulo and João (Rita is married to the latter) convinced their parents to expand their wine shop in the Algarve into wine production. It was there, in Albernoa, on a property near Beja, in the deep Alentejo, that everything took off. In 2001 they planted their first vineyard. In 2007 the restaurant opened, led by Michelin-starred chef Joachim Koerper. In 2008, the first of five villas was built to receive guests.

Today there are 744 hectares of land in organic production, 80 hectares of organic vinyeards, one international recognized wine brand, an olive grove and an olive oil brand, natural honey production, a purebred Lusitano horse stud farm, and black Alentejo pig, Alentejo cow and “merina” sheep breeding.

And much more.

“What we want to convey, and I hope our guests will feel it, is that Malhadinha is above all a reflection of a lifestyle. It’s been 25 years of creating and developing a project in a space with unique, special and differentiating natural characteristics, which we still want to improve and share,” says Rita.

“We work to enhance Portuguese culture and the traditions of the Alentejo. We are part of a national agricultural reserve, a protection zone for the development of flora and fauna. At Malhadinha, nature has more impact than anything else.”

This – the truth of the materials – is also reflected in the extremely good taste of the villas. “I want everyone to feel that that sofa was inspired by a pebble from the stream, or that the lamp pays homage to certain species of birds or plants. All the pieces, whether traditional or industrial, are inspired by the space around us.” That’s why there are objects from great Portuguese brands, such as Olaio or Vista Alegre, or from the biggest names in design, like Philippe Starck or Charles & Ray Eames.

“The colors are taken from clay, trees, straw, water, the sky, the sun… what’s inside the villas has this motto of connecting people with nature.” Everything results in a logical expansion of the endogenous relaxation of the Alentejo region. “This isn’t a ‘hotel’. It’s a space honoring Nature.” And each villa brings to life the ancient local history.

All the lodgings, which are private houses with their own swimming pool, are designed for families, with or without children – who can take part in many of the estate’s activities and workshops. The suites (also with a private pool) are also ideal for honeymooners… who shouldn’t miss out on a romantic picnic in the vineyards organized by Malhadinha.

The space extends to a myriad of experiences on the estate and throughout the countryside. Gastronomic and wine workshops. Hot air balloon rides. Various equestrian programs. Dirt-tracking on a quad bike. Exploring the cultural heritage in the surrounding area. Nothing seems to end.

But, bear in mind, one way or another, these are educational experiences closely linked to the preservation of Nature. “We are a family project and with all this we intend to leave a legacy for the new generations, around the promotion of biodiversity.”

The perfect rest, both physical and spiritual, can be found in a very unusual spa. Here they apply balms made from eucalyptus and olive trees that grow on the estate – and, by the way, guests can take part in a workshop on the production of these balms.

Rita knows what she’s talking about. Everything is good – for herself and everyone at Malhadinha. “Sometimes it is difficult for me to feel that I am working. We all are welcoming clients and presenting the wines, for example. For me, where would that be work? There’s a very special energy concentrated in the Malhadinha.”

Thanks for your honesty, Rita. We want to come and work with you. And do say “Hello!” to the nice spider. See you soon!