Herdade da Malhadinha Nova Private Farmhouse

If there was ever a year to disappear into a private farmhouse in the middle of nowhere in the lower Alentejo, 2020 is it. And if there was ever a place to find that private farmhouse, the newly expanded Herdade da Malhadinha Nova is it.

Although the original elements of the place—a single farmhouse with a handful of bedrooms—opened in 2009, this incarnation is in a category of its own. And in some ways, it seems to have been designed with social distancing in mind. Long before space, privacy and exclusivity were safety things, they were luxury things. And this hotel has those luxuries down.

The owners bought the farm estate in 1998, when the land was all but abandoned and the two farmhouses on the property—one of which dates from 1926—were in ruins. It didn’t even have electricity. Neither did it have grapevines.

But since the owners’ family business is wine, they installed both in short order. Now the estate produces some terrific wines, as well as olive oil, fruit, honey, beef, and lamb raised on the farm. Almost all of its organic.

Staying at Herdade da Malhadinha Nova puts you in touch with all of that. The property spans more than 1,000 acres, and most of that is fields, vineyards, and nature. There are five accommodation units on the property, and a sixth a few miles away, which together total only 30 rooms.

The romantic Casa das Pedras suites have private terraces, plunge pools, lovely linens, and a minimalist, contemporary design. The other houses, such as Casa do Ancoradouro (house of terracotta) and Casa da Ribeira (with a slow-living, river-centric theme) follow more traditional architectural styles.

The food is excellent. Joachim Koerper of the Michelin-starred Eleven in Lisbon, is the consulting chef. Here he takes a more relaxed approach, letting the flavors of the Alentejo—especially beef and lamb from the estate—shine.

Best of all is a private picnic in the vineyards.