Passareiro History – a working farm

Passareiro is one of a number of estates owned by an Anglo-Portuguese family since the early 19th Century. For over five generations its primary activity has been cork forestry and the family has always been involved in community life in the Alentejo.

Spread out over almost 580 hectares, dense cork forests, or “montados” in Portuguese, account for most of the farm’s activity. Passareiro also has vineyards producing high quality white and red grape varieties, citrus orchards and olive groves. In winter, black pigs come to graze freely for acorn and sheep are kept year round.

As a working farm, Passareiro also offers guests the chance to observe seasonal farm activities. Visitors in late May or June can see the ancient and unique process of cork stripping, done entirely by hand and late September is the time for grape harvesting. Early spring is lambing season and sheep shearing also takes place during the year.