Welcome to
Herdade do Carvalhal Vale da Estrada.
Take a stroll through this beautiful cork oak woadland and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Quercus suber
The Cork Oak (Quercus suber) stands as Portugal's National Tree (22/12/2011 - Resolução da Assembleia da República nº 15/2012), with the country producing half of the world's commercial cork supply. The tree's scientific name tells its own story - "Quercus" being Latin for oak, while "suber" relates to the Greek "syphar," meaning wrinkled skin, aptly describing its distinctive bark. (North Carolina State U, Universidade de Évora, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Instituto Superior de Agronomia da ULisboa)
Services
Welcome to Carvalhal - Vale da Estrada, where nature meets creativity. Our 120-hectare estate in Alentejo's Castelo de Vide combines authenticity of a cork oak forest with versatile spaces for your creative projects.
Cork Forest Course
We'll explore the world of cork oak trees (Quercus suber), one of nature's most remarkable species. These trees stand at the intersection of environmental sustainability, cultural heritage, and economic prosperity.
Private Event Rental
A flexible space perfect for film production, corporate meetings, workshops, and private events. Our venue adapts from intimate gatherings to professional productions in connection with nature.
Wildlife Watching Experience
Go into the countryside and watch nature reveal herself in our hands-on wildlife experience. This journey brings you face-to-face with nature's denizens.
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Upcoming Events
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Date and time is TBDCarvalhal - Vale da Estrada
LATEST POSTS
A Personal Passion Project
Carvalhal - Vale da Estrada is more than just a cork oak woodland to me and my family - it's a personal passion project. This 300 Acres inheritance in the heart of Alentejo was quite forgotten, almost abandoned until we returned to it.
OUR STORY
We (my wife Maria, my son António and I) saw its potential to become a sustainable forest paradise, teeming with life and biodiversity. We have been transforming Carvalhal - Vale da Estrada into a thriving, healthy cork oak grove. We've carefully managed the land, nurturing the trees back to health and watching as they reclaim their rightful place in the ecosystem with countless species of animals, fungi, and insects. We are also working to ensure that Carvalhal - Vale da Estrada remains a place of harmony between humans and the environment. For in preserving and nurturing this remarkable cork oak woodland, we are not only safeguarding a piece of Portugal's natural heritage - we are creating a sustainable, biodiverse landscape that can be enjoyed by generations to come. I want Carvalhal - Vale da Estrada be a testament to what can be achieved when passion, dedication, and a deep love for the natural world come together. It is a place that has become a part of our family, and we would be honoured to share it with you.
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