Amazing developments at Quinta de Brunheda

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Rune EG
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Location: Drammen, Norway

Amazing developments at Quinta de Brunheda

Post by Rune EG »

9 months ago (September 2016), my wife and I visited Brunheda as part of the 2016 FTLOP Port Harvest Tour. The owner Delio Mesquita informed us that during the coming year part of his quinta will be covered by water. What we could see was a tiny stream of water at the bottom of the valley. The decision to fill up parts of that valley was apparently taken by the local governments for tourist purposes. Difficult to imagine at that time.

Few days ago, on 12th May 2017, we visited Brunheda on a private basis. The landscape was changed significantly. Some of Brunhedas small buildings down in the valley was now completely covered by water. The depth of the water was abt 20 metres (abt 65 feet), and was quite close to Brunhedas main buildings. The government has compensated Brunheda for changing the environment, and the government are constructing a new railway into the area for tourist activities. Floating quays were established both on the Brunheda side and the opposite side. Brunheda has purchased a boat for tourist purposes and Brunhedas cellar manager told us that this weekend he was starting a course to learn how to handle the boat, in addition to learning the rules and regulations for driving a motor boat on Douro waters.
The changes will undoubtedly open up good opportunities for Brunheda, but at this stage it was difficult for the locals to absorb these huge changes in the landscape.

Emmy and I were also introduced to Brunhedas second quinta called Quinta de Mata de Sima. It is located close to Regua, on the south side of Douro river east of the locks at Regua. Their quinta has direct borders with Santa Eufemia, which is well known for many FTLOP-members. At Quinta de Mata de Sima there are some old buildings which could soon be ready for eno-tourism. New bath rooms were installed, a lot of nice furniture was in place. But they need to clean up, wash, paint, fix things here-and-there etc., in order to have it ready for customers. Should not cost too much money. Fantastic view from the quinta.
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Andy Velebil
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Re: Amazing developments at Quinta de Brunheda

Post by Andy Velebil »

Sad about the water issue but happy for them at the same time. Thanks for the update.


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Christian Gollnick
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Re: Amazing developments at Quinta de Brunheda

Post by Christian Gollnick »

Andy Velebil wrote:Sad about the water issue but happy for them at the same time. Thanks for the update.
+1
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Mario Ferreira
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Re: Amazing developments at Quinta de Brunheda

Post by Mario Ferreira »

:thanks:
Thank you for the update Rune.
Um Abraço
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