Quinta do Rocha is ideally placed for a relaxing break in the heart of some of Portugal’s most lovely countryside, and the country’s largest vineyard region, Vinho Verde.
They have B&B accommodation in a beautiful old mansion farmhouse surrounded by vineyards and orchards, which have been in the same family for generations.
It is beautifully situated on a lightly wooded hillside with an outdoor swimming pool in the gardens, and the views all around are really quite stunning.
THE ACCOMMODATION:
The house is large and has a great range of rooms to choose from. All of them are double or twins, though there is one unit that consists of two connecting rooms that can sleep up to four people.
They are all classic style, rustic and romantic, and have a nice air of old-fashioned opulence.
The entire house, in fact, feels somewhat from a different, much more grand, era.
There is lots of space both inside and out, and you can spend your days by the pool or exploring the orchards and vineyards and in the evenings enjoying a drink on the terrace, which will doubtless include some of their own homegrown Vinho Verde wine.
You will be treated to a great breakfast every morning with fresh fruit juice from the farm’s own orchards.
THE LOCATION:
The Vinho Verde wine region takes up much of Portugal to the north of Porto and is the country’s largest wine-growing region.
The countryside around Quinta do Rocha, to the north of Braga, is surprisingly under-visited by foreign tourists, as it is somewhat over-shadowed by the more well-known Douro Valley just to the south.
Name recognition notwithstanding, it is a gorgeous terrain of forests, hills, meandering rivers, and of course vineyards. Those who take the time will find it a joy to explore.
As for real wilderness, we’d recommend a trip to the Peneda-Gerês National Park just to the west of Quinta do Rocha, along the Spanish border.
It has numerous hiking trails through forests and hills that are home to wolves, deer, and golden eagles.
WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY:
“Comfortable rooms, large clean swimming pool, very friendly owners, excellent wine they shared with us during meals. The place is really beautiful. The best we had in Portugal….”
“The whole experience: the Quinta itself, the location, the view, the food, the peace and quiet….”
