PORTUGAL-DAY 8

Part of our “Latergram ” series. This trip took place June 2022.

Today we we have to say good bye to Lisbon. Our time there was too short but we must move on.

Our first stop is Adega Cartuxa. Located near Evora, Portugal, this winery, a former Jesuit retreat has a rich heritage of preservation and restoration.

The history of the Adega Cartuxa [Cartuxa Winery] was written by the hand of Vasco Maria Eugénio de Almeida, one of the greatest patrons and philanthropists of the 20th century in Portugal, who invested in the diversification of agricultural production, revitalizing the winegrowing activity promoted by his grandfather, Carlos Maria, and invested in the planting of a vast area of olive groves which became, in the words of the region’s workers themselves, the “factory” they had never had before.

Behind Adega Cartuxa [Cartuxa Winery] is a great family, the Eugénio de Almeida family. Let’s go back to 1913, the year Vasco Maria was born into one of the most influential families of the 19th century. Born in Lisbon, he soon established links with Évora and Alentejo, where the family had an extensive heritage. Vasco Maria always considered people to be the most valuable variable on the basis of which he organised all his efforts. These included revitalising winemaking and planting a vast area of olive groves just a few kilometres from Évora, which resulted in the wines and olive oils produced to this day.

LOCATION: The winery (located at Quinta de Valbom) is just 2 km away from the historic center of Évora, which has been a designated UNESCO World Heritage city since 1986

HISTORY: The property itself is highly historic, functioning as a 16th-century retreat for the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) who taught at the nearby University of Évora.

THE NAME: The property itself is highly historic, functioning as a 16th-century retreat for the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) who taught at the nearby University of Évora.

This property, its history and the original owner’s vision is truly amazing. It was a spiritual experience that I’ll never forget. Please check out their website here: Adega Cartuxa History and Legacy if you like that kind of thing. Oh, and let’s not leave out their really cool label designs and packaging.

I would have bought quite a few bottles and sets but I had no way to get it home in our luggage. So, I just live vicariously through my pictures.

Located in Évora, Café Alentejo® serves the best Alentejo dishes in a cozy space full of history. To accompany we suggest wine from regional producers.

After being Real Estalagem, Café Alentejo® was Casa de Pasto and Tavern until the 90’s, where the secrets of traditional cuisine always continued, at the counter.

Since 1999, Rita Simão, Eborense and owner of Café Alentejo®, has gathered the history and culture of this place. It was through entrepreneurship and Rita’s passion for Alentejo cuisine that it was possible to transform this space of centuries, into one of the gastronomic references of the whole region.

Évora is the capital of Portugal’s south-central Alentejo region. In the city’s historic center stands the ancient Roman Temple of Évora (also called the Temple of Diana). Nearby, whitewashed houses surround the Cathedral of Évora, a massive Gothic structure begun in the 12th century. The Igreja de São Francisco features Gothic and baroque architecture along with the skeleton-adorned Chapel of Bones.

We didn’t get hardly enough time here to walk around and explore what this sleepy little town had to offer. This is the day Leisa was really sick and end up missing our great lunch while she slept on a park bench close to where the bus dropped us off at.

There were however lots of weathered doors that needed their picture taken so I obliged.

While this image is not mine, you can see how romantic it is in the late hours of the day. I can only imagine sitting outside under one of those umbrellas sipping on a cold local beverage and snacking on some light bites.

After another bus ride (2hrs 45mins), we landed at our final hotel for this trade mission.

The AP Cabanas Beach and Nature Resort in Tavira was magical. It was so nice to check in, drop everything off, shower, rest and enjoy the amenities on the property.

Leisa was still not feeling well, so I basically brought here food and drinks or anything that felt comforting.

The staff were very polite, helpful and friendly.

*Some of these images are from AP’s gallery for this property. Please click on the link above to view more.

Well I had more images but I guess they never got uploaded to our main cloud backup drive. Oh well, you get the idea.

Back at it tomorrow!