For Ana and Antonio, these tours aren’t just a way to show off their region’s history; they’re an opportunity to foster an appreciation for the valley. Ana, with her infectious enthusiasm, tells me she’d sometimes recount tales passed down through generations, of how locals and their ancestors have always lived in harmony with the landscape.
But while local farming has continued through the generations, it requires more effort due to the condition of the land, Ana tell us. With the valley facing depopulation, with many younger people moving to cities, this has brought challenges with, many families are no longer working the land. However, but some, like Ana and Antonia, have seen this as opportunity to do the opposite.
Later that evening at Casa da Cisterna, Ana and local staff host a communal dinner where we gather around a large wooden table to enjoy a delicious feast made from local ingredients; not only does this support the economy, it also cuts down on transportation emissions. Much of the food is either grown on the property or sourced locally, from freshly baked bread with the estate’s own olive oil (which you can buy), plump, sun-ripened figs in salads or with local cheeses; herb-infused lentil soup; quiche with eggs, garden herbs, and cheeses from local goat and sheep farms; and local Douro wines. Food waste is minimized and given to local farms for animal feed.
Other sustainability efforts at the guesthouse include energy efficiency with solar panels providing heat and electricity. Waste is handled thoughtfully, with rubbish and garbage burned in a controlled manner. Fireplaces are fueled by wood gathered from the careful de-bushing of nearby wooded areas, helping to maintain the natural landscape.