Olá and a warm virtual welcome! I’m Stephan, and I’d love to invite you to join me at my 5.5-hectare farm in the heart of the São Mamede Natural Park, where Spain meets Portugal. This is a unique corner of the world, full of wild forest, cork oaks, olive trees, and small terraces that we are slowly bringing back to life.
The farm is home of the Quinta Project, an ecoqueer space dedicated to regenerative living, community, and creativity. Here, we grow food in a permaculture-inspired food forest and vegetable gardens, nurture a small vineyard for our natural wine project, and care for olive trees that produce our own oil. Alongside that, there’s always something happening: land restoration, gardening, building projects, harvesting, or even helping with natural winemaking and fermenting.
- What you can expect:
Mornings usually involve about four hours of work: afternoons are free for you to explore, rest, or join me in the kitchen.
All food is vegetarian (vegan-friendly), often cooked together and shared with everyone.
I also run Bar Salto, the first natural wine bar in Extremadura, and a small vegetarian guesthouse. Bar Salto is also home to the São Mamede Wine Project (our natural wine initiative - in transition to ecological and regenerative vineyard management) and the Wine School, which offers enthusiast-level and professional wine courses and tastings. Volunteers sometimes join me for events or special evenings there.
Throughout the year, the farm also hosts small ecoqueer gatherings on themes like permaculture, queer theory, ecosensuality, and sustainable living.
Who we are:
You’ll be sharing the land with me, three playful dogs, two cats, and an abundance of local wildlife ... from wild boar and foxes to colourful bird species. The Quinta Project is proudly LGBTQ+ and a safe, welcoming space for queer folks and allies. Community matters deeply here; I often have friends or visitors around, so the farm has a social, lively atmosphere.
The local vibe:
We’re surrounded by a thriving alternative community. In the villages nearby, you’ll find concerts, pizza nights, vegan cakes, a co-op bar, and plenty of new friends. And the São Mamede Natural Park itself is stunning: perfect for hiking, swimming, or simply being in nature. Shops, cafés, and restaurants are about 1.5 km away.
Getting here:
There are direct buses from Lisbon (twice daily) and a service from Madrid. Because of the terrain, camper vans unfortunately can’t access the farm.
Before you arrive:
I like to meet potential volunteers for a quick FaceTime or Zoom chat - so we can get to know each other and see if it’s a good fit. Personal connection is important to me, and I’d love to hear your story.
If you’re looking for a place where queerness, permaculture, natural wine, and community come together in the wild beauty of the borderlands, this might just be the place for you.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Viticulture
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Beer, cider, wine, or juice making
Traditional crafts
Renewable energy production
Food justice / sovereignty
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
5.5
Hectares
|
13.6
Acres
