At Vinagra Village, nature has once again gifted us a magical moment—the birth of a baby donkey! This adorable new addition to our eco-farm arrived in the early morning hours, bringing joy and excitement to everyone on the property.

We came together to celebrate the land, sustainable practices, and the rich secrets of Alentejo cuisine.

This year’s fall lambing season has been nothing short of a disaster. Typically, my flock of Merinos has smooth deliveries with minimal intervention, but this year has been very different. A few ewes required assistance during lambing, which is unusual.

As the seasons shift and the leaves change, I reflect on the joys of slow living in Alentejo, the challenges of transforming my home into a retreat, and the profound lessons I've learned about sustainable food and healthy living. This is a heartfelt account of embracing change, connecting with nature, and finding freedom in the little moments.

Enjoying the tranquility of nature and the rewards of homegrown produce, we invite you to experience the joy of living in harmony with the earth. Join us in rediscovering the beauty of a close-knit community and the satisfaction of caring for oneself.

It's the vibrant season of spring, and here on our regenerative farm in the Alentejo, the picturesque Vinagra Village, nature is alive with anticipation. Our newly planted fruit trees from last year are bursting into bloom, promising a bounty of apples, pears, oranges, and plums.

Mangalitsa pigs have a unique appearance, fabulous meat, and a fantastic history. The breed became official in 1927. One of their most notable characteristics was their ability to produce excessive amounts of fat, which was used for cooking and in cosmetics.

We planted the Vinagra Village Miyawaki Forest in May 2023, just four months ago. Miyawaki forests are mini miracles of nature, created by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. They grow ten times faster than normal forests, with density being a key factor. To put this to the test, we planted 375 native species very close together, approximately 1 meter apart, in order to recreate the layers of natural forests. The results have been fantastic, as you can see here.

Derived primarily from the nectar of a variety of wildflowers on Vinagra Village's Organic Farm, our honey presents an array of flavors and hues each year. This diversity is influenced by blooming flowers, as a result of our soil regeneration efforts, and also weather patterns.

It's the end of August the sky has turned overcast, and the temperature has dipped with the arrival of clouds. While it may seem like the seasons are shifting, the reality remains unchanged – there's been no sudden transformation. Rainfall isn't anticipated until late September. This summer has proven challenging for our Merino sheep flock due to meager pastures, characterized by dry, nutrient-deficient grass and scarce water sources, our ponds are almost dry.

The scorching days of July in Alentejo resemble those of June, with temperatures consistently soaring above 37ºC beneath the blazing midday sun. Throughout both months, the mercury hardly relents, occasionally touching 40ºC.

May at Vinagra Village was scorching hot, with average temperatures reaching 29ºC. Managing complexity was crucial as we faced the challenges of drought and unusually high temperatures resembling those of August.

Vinagra Village is one of the replicators of the EU program Life Desert Adapt, promoted in Portugal by ADPM (Associação de Defesa do Património de Mértola). The goal is the dissemination of good practices for the fight against land degradation and climate change.