Casa Rubiaes Portugal

If you are looking to get away from it all and are looking for a stunning countryside setting in the Minho, then Casa Rubiaes could be perfect for you. Even better if you are two families or perhaps a multi-generational family who would enjoy some private time and space as well as enjoying a holiday altogether! Casa Rubiaes is set within a fabulous 210 acre wine estate in the Minho hills, just fifteen minutes from the old Roman town of Ponte de Lima and twenty five minutes from the historic and stunningly beautiful town of Viana do Castelo. This dreamy property is comprised of two stone farmhouses that were both fully renovated in 2020.
Ponte de Lima is one of the most historic towns in the north of Portugal and the home of the popular vinho verde wine. The town is surrounded by magical green landscapes and is a stop on the famous Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route. The town offers beautiful gardens, its famous bridge, its ancient Igreja da Misericordia Church, its bustling town square and some wonderful viewpoints. Viana do Castelo’s compact historic centre boasts extravagant religious buildings, delightful cafes, elegant plazas and narrow shopping streets which open onto the banks of the Lima River. The pearly white, neo-Byzantine Santa Luzia Church presides over the city, sitting high on the hilltop. Guests that choose to stay at Casa Rubiaes can enjoy its wonderful wine estate, both of these historic towns, spectacular, wild Atlantic beaches, picturesque rivers, hilly slopes and incredibly delicious food and wine. It is a wonderful area for hiking, cycling and horse riding with sensational scenery all around.
When renovating the farmhouses, the owners have preserved the original charms of these ancient buildings yet made them very luxurious. Each of the bedrooms enjoys a stunning, immaculate bathroom and the kitchens are sleek, contemporary and offer the best of appliances. Throughout, you will discover exposed stone walls and high vaulted or beamed ceilings together with fantastic glass architecture offering superb panoramic views and drowning these magical spaces in natural light. With hotel quality linens, contemporary furnishings and handpicked accessories, guests feel indulged and are ready to relax in this friendly, enchanting Minho region. Besides the two farmhouses, there is an eighteenth century typical Minho house on the estate which is occasionally used by the owners but the guest accommodation is completely independent with total privacy.
The larger of the alluring farmhouses sleeps up to ten guests. The lower floor is home to a striking open plan kitchen and dining area which flows beautifully to the living area and to the south facing terrace. Maintaining the essence of its historical past, the room features exposed stone which blends perfectly with the sleek, fitted units. The chef in your group will be delighted with this dreamy kitchen and its excellent appliances. The living area similarly enjoys modern furniture and doors that open to the terrace and wonderful glimpses of greenery. It also boasts a television should you want to chill inside. A very modern glass panelled staircase takes you upstairs to the bedrooms. There are three gorgeous double rooms, each with a pristine, beautifully tiled shower room plus a family suite. This family suite enjoys a sumptuous double bed and a flight of stairs that leads to a charming mezzanine floor with two single beds. There is also a private shower room. Outside there is a beautiful alfresco dining terrace with a pergola and barbecue and a private swimming pool which your whole group will share.
The smaller building sleeps up to four guests in two double bedrooms. The lower floor offers a fabulous open plan living area with another outstanding contemporary kitchen, a dining area and a welcoming living space. One of the double bedrooms is also downstairs with an ensuite shower room. Another double is found upstairs with its smart, beautifully tiled shower room. Throughout both farmhouses, you will discover minimalist styling, beautiful contemporary lights and wonderful colour palettes, mostly natural but with the odd colour pop.  Guests staying at Casa Rubiaes enjoy spacious terraces with astounding views of the surrounding mountains and vineyards. There are sprawling lawns and a wonderful barbecue terrace for alfresco dining under the stars. The private swimming pool enjoys a unique shape which is 12m x 6m at the widest points. The estate is fully functional for agriculture and wine so guests may see workers on the estate while they meander through the vineyards and fields. Casa Rubiaes is surrounded by nature on a fabulous 210 acre wine estate in the Minho hills, just fifteen minutes from the old Roman town of Ponte de Lima and twenty five minutes from Viana do Castelo. This region of the Minho offers wonderful activities including the Ecovia cycling route, kayaking along the Lima River, river bathing in Labruja, mountain biking or hiking in the Serra D’Arga and birdwatching in the Lagoas de Bertiandos.
Ponte de Lima is one of Portugal’s oldest towns which enjoys an atmospheric ambience and offers a wonderful cultural experience. The Ponte de Lima Bridge is 277 metres long, stretching over the beautiful Lima River. The Romans built the first five arches and it was then fortified and extended by fifteen arches during the medieval period. Ponte de Lima boasts two magnificent churches, Igreja da Misericordia and Igreja de Santo Antonio which sits across the river with its baroque styling. Largo de Camoes Plaza is the town’s bustling square with wonderful views of the Lima River and a good array of cafes, bars and restaurants. Ponte de Lima is the home of the famous vinho verde wine so you will certainly enjoy this in the square. Torre da Cadeia Velha is a tower which is part of the old Ponte de Lima wall. It is used for exhibitions and tourist shops. Ponte de Lima sits in glorious countryside with fabulous viewpoints. These include Miradouro of Saint Catarina which offers views of the river, Miradouro of Magdalene which enjoys views over the town and surrounding landscape and Miradouro of Bola da Pena which enjoys 360-degree views of the entire area. The gastronomy in the town is amazing with excellent local Portuguese dishes. Some restaurants enjoy gorgeous riverside settings.
Viana do Castelo is one of Portugal’s many hidden gems. It boasts 19th century boulevards, narrow lanes lined with splendid Manueline houses, spacious plazas, beautiful churches, a gorgeous riverfront, excellent restaurants and cafes and its hill-perched giant 1909 basilica Santa Luzia Church. You can reach the basilica by climbing the steps, taking the car or riding the funicular. From the top, visitors delight in a gob-smacking view over the town, rated the world’s third most beautiful panorama by the National Geographic Magazine. The town also boasts St Mary the Great’s Cathedral built in the fifteenth century. As well as offering architectural grandeur, Viana do Castelo also offers seaside charm. A little ferry takes you to the magnificent Cabadelo Beach where you can kite surf, bask in the Portuguese sunshine and wander along the wooden promenade.
Other wonderful Minho beaches include Vila Praia de Ancora, Praia de Moledo and Caminha’s Foz do Minho Beach next to the River Minho. Visitors also enjoy kayaking in the Minho and Lima rivers.
The gorgeous town of Caminha boasts the ancient Torre do Relogio de Caminha, the clock tower which forms part of the old city walls built in the 12th century and is a national monument. You can climb to the top of the tower to enjoy fabulous views of the town. The Rua Direita or Ricardo Joaquim de Sousa Street is the cobbled main street in the historic centre. Another historic monument is the Igreja Matriz de Caminha where you can admire tiles from the 17th century. Visitors can take a ferry over to Galicia from Caminha.At Excellence Luxury Villas we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the
concierge request form or contact Excellence Luxury Villas Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
– Maid service/extra cleaning- Private chef/cook/catering- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge- Local day-trips or tours- Airport transfers- Babysitting/childcare services
Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact Excellence Luxury Villas Concierge Team.
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!