Douro is a "geological poem", Miguel Torga wrote in his Journals, one of the most important Portuguese writers of the 20th century, in an attempt to define the Portuguese region that leaves the world in love. But Douro, the oldest controlled and demarcated region of wines in the atlas, land of Port Wine and burning sun, did not only inspire writers. Photographers, filmmakers, sculptors, artists of all cultural expressions drink here the unusual beauty that they pour into their works of art. Torga said it as no one else: "Douro is not a panorama that the eyes contemplate, it is an excess of nature." For this reason, the region also seduces those who like wine estates, farms, those who seek harmony, serenity, "the silence that not even the river dares to break " - and the best wine in the world.
Douro is a peculiar territory of about one hundred kilometres - between Barca d'Alva, on the border with Spain, to Barqueiros, almost flowing into Porto - characterized by a huge landscape of wine and vineyard that is planted, as in no other region, in suspended gardens. The famous Douro terraces are not only one of the most admirable scenarios in the world, they are also the perfect soil for a unique, specific and special wine.
The greatest luxury of Douro are, therefore, the varieties of these grapes that produce one of the most respected and awarded world-wine of all time, through a process of craftsmanship, aging in selected wood casks and internships in the cellars on the south bank of Foz do Douro, in Vila Nova de Gaia. It's 250 years of history that many wanted to replicate elsewhere. But in vain. The soil, the topography and the climate of Douro are inimitable and decisive for the production of this noble and virtuous liquid that is today one of the most valued in auctions, and that, since March 2019, can be tasted in the Port Wine Museum, built in Ribeira, in the heart of the historic centre of Porto, in a sort of balcony over the river. The museum offers for tasting over 750 wine labels of several origins and narrates, through a careful selection of historical objects, the history of the role of the wine and the river in the economic development of the city.
But Douro River, on whose banks some of the most beautiful houses and apartments are erected, not only defines the city of Porto; it influences all the regions that it crosses. The beauty of its landscape, the richness of its history and the uniqueness of its heritage, properly classified by UNESCO, have been decisive for the prestige of the North of Portugal. It was around this "absolute beauty", as Torga emphasized, that some of the most luxurious farms in Portugal were built. Some of these rare real estate properties are available in real estate brokers dedicated to the premium segment, such as LUXIMO'S Christie's International Real Estate, which leads the market in the region. We point out three farms to sell, which is really worth knowing and which you will fall in love with.
This beautiful farm is located in the heart of Douro, in Santa Marta de Penaguião, the nerve centre of the Douro Valley. In its 16 hectares of mechanized vineyard, it produces Doc Douro wines, Port Wine and olive oil. All of excellent quality, and with its own brand. The main house, built in the 19th century, was completely recovered and adapted to tourist exploitation: wine tourism and rural tourism.
Of a unique beauty, with a typical Portuguese manor house architecture, the interior displays a period decoration in which the luxurious and original finishes stand out. Everything in perfect condition and with excellent distribution of space among the various rooms, bedrooms, office, chapel and kitchen. Outside, we find a traditional cellar for wine production, a hall for events framed with the beautiful gardens, an outdoor swimming pool and also the housekeepers’ home that ensure the maintenance of this property, which is part of the circuit of the Douro Museums. Moreover, in the basement of the house there is a traditional warehouse-Museum with a tasting room and sale of wines and regional products.
Inserted in a breathtaking landscape, in a peaceful environment, this farm is also located in the heart of Douro, in Santa Marta de Penaguião, five minutes from the city of Vila Real and 20 minutes from the city of Peso da Régua. In its 19 hectares of mechanised vineyard, it does not run away from tradition or quality, as it produces Doc Douro wines, Port Wine and olive oil. All production has its own brand.
The main house was built in the 16th century. It is a noble house, with coat of arms, which initially belonged to Palácio de Mateus. Currently, it is adapted to the exploration of wine tourism and rural tourism, benefiting from large indoor and outdoor rooms prepared for events. It is a unique winery property, where the vineyard develops in flatland, bordering Corgo River. It also has a traditional winery with tasting room and sale of wines and regional products.
This beautiful farm is located on the slope above Douro River, near the Tua river mouth, with stunning and unique views over these rivers. It is a place of absolute tranquility and with an unparalleled landscape.
The property has 1.3 hectares of vineyards for Port Wine production with letter A classification and olive trees to produce excellent-quality olive oil. Since it is located in one of the regions with the largest tourist attraction in Portugal, it also has a project for Hotel construction, which was approved by all the agencies involved in the Douro region. The equipment can extend to 1100 m2 of construction area, where you can explore the quality tourist accommodation, namely spa, catering and professional events. It also has great access. It is 30 minutes away from the city of Régua and Vila Real and just over an hour from Porto.
