Places 46 From left: Casa Nossa’s idyllic pool area; a rustic-chic sitting room Guests often arrive at Casa Nossa still feeling the stress of the city and of daily life, but they quickly calm down (“calma, calma” is a popular expression in the Alentejo). There are no neighbouring houses in sight, just 360 degrees of unspoiled montado, the typical Alentejo landscape with ancient cork and oak trees. This is certified “dark sky” territory with some of the clearest starry skies in the world, and Casa Nossa looks out over the lake, shimmering alongside 65 hectares of private land. It even reminds one at little of the landscapes in Africa, with its intense earthy and reddish colour schemes. But Casa Nossa isn’t just about the serene isolation. Fine dining showcases the best local produce, prepared with the artistry expected from Avillez, who is always available on request to come and cook in a private setting for the guests of the house. Casual barbecues sizzle under the open sky, while an impressive wine cellar beckons with over 800 bottles. There are classic movies in the private cinema, a grand piano and karaoke. For more active guests, there are the heated pools, a high-tech gym and a yoga pavilion. There are kayaks and SUPS on the lake, and even water skiing is possible. “Actually, the painting of the Portuguese artist Pedro Batista, which used to hang in Belcanto, captures it all. It depicts a girl standing between two worlds, painted in the rich colours of the Alentejo’s red earth,” says the chef, gesturing towards the large canvas in the living room. “Just like this house,” he continues, “Casa Nossa is a symbiosis of two worlds: the haven of comfort and luxury you see here, and the wild, rough and pure nature of the region surrounding us.” Chef Avillez and Ulrich are also passionate stewards of the local heritage, evident in their role as “godparents” to the esteemed “Cante Alentejano” known as the Grupo Coral da Freguesia de Monsaraz. More than just music, Cante Alentejano embodies the soul of Portugal’s rural heart. This unique polyphonic singing is recognised by Unesco as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The songs are haunting traditions carrying stories of love, loss and resilience and passed down through generations. It’s a testament to the region’s rich cultural tapestry. The group frequently performs in private at the house for guests, often inspiring emotional moments for the audience. Casa Nossa, which opened in March 2023, has already found success with diverse guests: families from all over the world, groups of friends, even hunters (the Alentejo offers a hunting paradise, from wild boar to smaller animals), music bands and companies seeking PHOTOS BRUNO CALADO CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM
47 Gourmet Getaway More Alentejo Adventures Lisbon’s booming popularity spills over into the region, from the Atlantic to the border close to Spain, with new projects opening every year Pa.te.os, Melides With a deeper connection with nature and minimalist design, Pa.te.os offers a haven crafted by renowned architect Manuel Aires Mateus. Four private villas nestled seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, their clean lines and natural materials blending with the earth. pateos.pt JNcQUOI Beach Club, Comporta Surrounded by white sand dunes, verdant pine forests and the azure ocean, JNcQuoi is the newest beach club designed by renowned Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen. Opening soon on the same beachfront property will be a luxury hotel and villas, also designed by Van Duysen, available for purchase and rental. jncquoicomporta.com disconnection and reconnection. I ask Chef Avillez if he thinks the Alentejo could become the “new Tuscany”. “Why not the new Lago di Como?” he laughs, clearly amused. For now, both the region and its visitors remain blissfully under the radar. Perhaps that’s precisely why a renowned and Michelin-starred chef like José Avillez cherishes Alentejo, with its mesmerising dark skies and endless starry constellations. casanossajoseavillez.pt Above: chef Avillez’s fresh tomato salad; top: Casa Nossa’s heated infinity pool L’And Vineyards, Montemor-o-Novo Nestled inland, L’And Vineyards expands its offering with luxurious new suites and villas. Leading the culinary scene is renowned chef David Jesus, formerly the number two at restaurant Belcanto. L’And also has a new wine club, with special oenophilic experiences and even the opportunity to own a piece of the vineyard itself. l-and.com Quinta do Paral, Vidigueira After making his mark with the legendary suitcase brand Rimowa, German businessman Dieter Morszeck shifted his focus to the Alentejo wine region. In 2017, he acquired Quinta do Paral, with the opening of a hotel and restaurant early this year. quintadoparal.com Circuito do Sol, Vila Verde de Ficalho A cutting-edge 3.5km racetrack inspired by the world’s most legendary circuits awaits as of the summer of 2024, featuring meticulously designed curves and corners. Specialising in testing electric vehicles, the track will also have a luxurious hotel and private villas in the future, offering an unparallelled motorsport getaway. circuitodosol.pt Vermelho, Melides A kaleidoscope of colour at the cheerful Vermelho, the hotel adventure of Christian Louboutin located close to the Atlantic Ocean in the seaside village of Melides. Expect lots of fiery red with multicoloured wicker chairs, and breakfast pottery scattered with playful polka dots. vermelhohotel.com
