New for 2022, São Lourenço do Barrocal will launch a three-day bucolic journey, ‘Agricultural Highlights of the Alentejo’ to celebrate the land and abundance of produce that thrives within the estate. From the grapes that produce some of the finest wines in Portugal, to the plentiful wildflowers and the ancient olive trees that define the landscape; immerse yourself in Barrocal’s pastoral magic and countryside charm.
Flowers & Foraging
To make the most of the indigenous florals and greenery, São Lourenço do Barrocal has partnered with a nearby florist from the nearby city of Reguengos de Monsaraz to lead a morning forage and workshop to create individual wildflower arrangements from foraged findings made up of olive branches, laurel, rosemary, lavender, orange and almond tree blossoms, or thistle, depending on the seasons. After the workshop, use your creation as a table piece for a private, candle-lit dinner with supper served from Barrocal’s farm-to-table restaurant and take home as a token of the estate.
An integral part of Barrocal’s ecosystem, the vegetable garden provides the freshest vegetables, herbs and fruits all year round and new for this year, Barrocal has invested in expert training from the mastermind behind Peg+Patriot, famed for its foraged cocktails, to make the upmost use of the extensive kitchen garden and orchard. Come nightfall, venture out in search of fresh herbs and citrus fruits to craft original cocktails that pay homage to the farmstead and the wider Alentejo region.
Wine
São Lourenço do Barrocal’s thriving winery is at the heart of the estate’s regeneration with 15 hectares of vineyards producing first-class single-estate wines using indigenous Portuguese grapes like Roupeiro or Touriga Nacional, alongside foreign ones for added freshness, all crafted by awarded winemaker Susana Esteban. Join a tour of the winery to learn about the winemaking history of the estate and the process, before enjoying a wine tasting in the shade of the estate’s holm oak trees. Just once a year between August and September, witness the oenological masterpiece that is Barrocal’s wine harvest.
Olive Oil
Join Barrocal’s local historian Luis Faria for a guided excursion through the property’s Olive Trees Trail, traversing Barrocal’s old olive mill room, ancient bee garden, bull ring and thousand-year-old olive trees; all of which are elements that have become defining characteristics of the estate’s strong agricultural heritage. As with everything on the estate, olives are hand-harvested with the upmost diligence and care. Indulge in a special tasting in front of a jasmin-scented wall and discover the estate’s different olive oils, whole olives seasoned with orange on top of artisanal bread or, for the sweet-toothed, traditional olive oil cake.
