Casa de Vilarinho de S. Romão

The Casa de Vilarinho de San Romão is a wonderful old farmstead dating from 1462, set in its own vineyard acreage. Restoration work, which involves taking it apart stone by stone and then putting it back together, is a remarkable effort but Christine continues with the never-ending task. Inside, the decor is light and airy, with new, light-pine floors and whitewashed walls. The entry is spacious and dramatic under a traditional Douro ceiling and displays a wonderful old royal carriage. Guests have the use of a sitting area off the entry and a large library opening onto the front courtyard. Three guestrooms are found down each of two wings of the building. I liked the three in the wing with its hallway overlooking the central courtyard, whose windows open onto valley views. These have stone loveseats set in the deep window openings both in the bedrooms and bathrooms. I especially loved the cozy Cornucopia room, which enjoys the best view in the house. Given advance notice, Christine offers dinner at a table set under the original Douro ceiling with an oval carving of wheat. The pool is set on a grassy terrace of lawn looking out to vineyards.