Quinta do Portelo

Photograph of a wine estate located on a hill between the valleys of the Corgo and Tanha rivers, next to Quinta de Avidagos. The main nucleus, located on the ridgeline, is formed by different buildings articulated by patios punctuated by areas of orchards, vegetable gardens and gardens. These elements are crossed by an old walled path that connected the place of Alvações do Tanha to the Corgo railway. The path forms a square next to the chapel of the estate, dedicated to Nossa Senhora do Carmo, in front of which is a Feitoria landmark of the demarcation of 1758. In the high areas and at the entrance of the estate there are areas of “mortórios” recolonized by olive groves and forest. The vineyard preserves some areas in post-phylloxera terraces framed by olive borders. The set facing the Corgo valley has wide and sloping terraces, with a geometric outline, punctuated by fruit trees. On the slope facing the Tanha the walls rest on rocks, resulting in a more irregular layout of the terraces. Some wall panels keep recesses for water drainage and whitewashing, particularly in the areas closer to the housing nucleus. The connection between the terraces is made through built-in and cantilever stairs, with emphasis on the set of stairs embedded transversely and aligned from the garden to the top of the slope. The stone used in the construction was extracted from a quarry opened on the estate's land, resulting in a 6 to 7 meter deep ditch, landfilled at the beginning of the 21st century. As the construction work lasted for several years, the masons ended up settling in the vicinity of the estate, originating the place of S. Gens, located on the opposite bank of the Corgo River, below Vila Maior.