A seductive mix of a carefully restored 300-year-old wine property and charming owners who love to cook Portuguese dishes for their guests. It’s a pretty view from the traditional, geranium-festooned granite building with its old wine press – from the terrace you see only immaculate lawns, vineyards and fruit trees with a distant backdrop of green hills. Things are very much run along family-friendly and sustainable lines; half the food served is from within 5 kilometers, few chemicals are used and the amazing granite swimming pool is fed by a flow of crystal clear well water. Indoors is fascinating too, with a vast, first floor dining room brimming with antiques, terracotta tiled floors downstairs, granite slabs for walls and doors straight out. There’s even a guest kitchen, if you need it. In the library you can browse the National Geographics and play billiards. Smart bedrooms mostly have four-posters, two are more contemporary; some of the good bathrooms are ingeniously slotted in. Of course you can have a wine-tasting, go riding or biking, visit nearby Guimaraes and the prehistoric site of Citania Briteiros.
We thoroughly enjoyed our 5 night stay at Quinta da Cancela. Arthur has beautifully renovated and modernised his old family farmhouse without spoiling its charm. It is set in a stunning location overlooking vineyards with easy access to places of interest. Arthur's enthusiasm for his project and his wine is infectious adding to our enjoyment. He is also an excellent cook serving us 2 dinners with a variety of his wines during our stay. The room was comfortable, we enjoyed the breakfasts and loved spending time in and around his freshwater pool. We would definitely recommend it.