Whatever the day of the year, anyone arriving to stay at Terrabona Nature & Vineyards is welcomed by Maria João or Marco Noronha. On the rare occasions when this does not happen, the reception is handled by one of the couple's children. But it always remains a family affair, which is the aim of this property.
Here, the focus is on wine tourism. There are several plots of land, more or less contiguous, in the parish of Boaventura, where these two former bankers have built villas to welcome guests, in the heart of the Laurel Forest and to the sound of a stream and birds chirping.
As a bonus, customers have the opportunity to taste Terrrabona wines through guided tastings or by purchasing bottles, which can only be bought on the estate or in the online store. The tastings are the only activity open to customers who are not staying at the hotel.
The vineyards occupy about 9,000 of the 35,000 square meters of land. The gardens, villas, and forest fill the rest. All of this is nestled in terraces that follow a steep slope on the north coast of Madeira. The imposing mountains are one of the views. The other view is the sea.
The villas were built on the ground. They are almost hidden on the hillside, each with a private garden, where there is no shortage of aromatic herbs for tea or cooking, fruit trees, and lots of greenery. The herbs are explained in a book inside each villa, which contains all the information visitors need to know.
In the kitchenette, in addition to the necessary equipment, there are some complimentary food products for a quick meal. And every day the ingredients for breakfast are renewed. There is fruit, naturally fermented yogurt, eggs, milk, juice, and coffee. Guests can request other products in addition to those served, and the entire service is tailored to each person, with the aim of creating harmony and helping to ensure a peaceful vacation. Bread is left in a box in each villa early in the morning.
Upon arrival, guests are offered a glass of the estate's white wine, as Terrabona is a white wine brand. A Riesling, adapted to the basalt soil of Madeira and therefore with more acidity. Then, in each villa, a portion of Madeira fortified wine from the Madeiran family business HM Borges is replenished every day.
Comfort is the watchword. The cork floor is comfortable, as is the bed, made with linen sheets. The lighting is cozy, and the 8950 brand amenities are complete.
There is also a relaxation bathtub, next to which are bottles of essential oils. Rosemary to recover from mental fatigue and eucalyptus to decongest the nasal passages.
You can spend your time strolling through the vineyards, contemplating the landscape, or simply relaxing in the infinity pool, lined with hijau volcanic stone from Bali and heated in winter. Next to it is a sauna, also overlooking the valley and the sea.
Around Terrabona Nature & Vineyards, there is the whole of Madeira to explore. But the boutique hotel also offers a program of complementary activities: a picnic basket can be prepared; bicycles and painting equipment are available for hire; there is a telescope; light lunches are served; massages are available on request on Fridays; there is a vegan dinner after a yoga session; a dinner with the family and another with wine pairing.
And there is the slow passing of time and the unique landscape. All this, combined with a family atmosphere, full of friendliness and great comfort, makes Terrabona Nature & Vineyards.
Wines are the raison d'être of the estate. The choice fell on whites, as these are wines in which islands such as Madeira excel, due to their high salinity and minerality, their proximity to the sea, and their basalt soil.
The Terrabona Nature & Vineyards portfolio consists of six wines. Four of them are made from the Arnsburger grape variety, a derivative of the Riesling, which has adapted to the Madeiran terrain. The other grape variety is Loureiro, which gives body to two of the wines, specifically the orange wines, which are white wines whose grapes are pressed with prolonged skin maceration, thereby acquiring their orange colour.
Part of the land has Terrantez vines, famous for producing good wines, but also difficult, which is why they have not yet produced fruit.
In addition to orange wines, the Terrabona portfolio features the only Riesling aged in French oak and also the only one aged in clay amphorae. There is also the 3 Families range, to which Sercial, a dry grape variety, is added, with grapes purchased from other producers. The resulting wine is bottled with green, blue, and red labels.
Tastings are the best way to get to know Terrabona wines. The experience can be enjoyed in small groups or individually. Several wines are tasted with delicacies, which are also available for sale on site. Alternatively, wines can be purchased from the online store, where orders can be placed.
The brand is in the process of reorganizing its labels and bottles, focusing on reusing bottles as pieces of the heart, meaning they can be joined together to form a set.
The project has a growth plan, which involves investing in more accommodation, always with the wines serving to provide context for a stay.
