THE ALGARVE IS GOING GREEN

IT’S OFFICIAL THE ALGARVE IS GOING GREEN...

We talk to your local experts, Casa Verde to learn about Portugals love for going green and how they can help you on your way to a greener home.

By bringing more sun solar-powered solutions, an increase in fabulous (world class) blue flag beaches and a rise in producers bringing outstanding organic products to our tables, Portugal has been working consistently hard. In 2019 the country took first place in the “Best of Europe” category at ITB’s Berlin’s annual Sustainable Top 100 Destination Awards. And Portugal is continually progressing, leading the way for quality, beauty and sustainability – thus creating a greener future for itself. The 300 days a year of glorious sunshine gives everyone a huge opportunity to benefit from solar energy. In 2019 seven councils signed a photovoltaic energy memorandum, combining efforts with the Algarve Regional Energy and Environment Agency to promote storage and selfconsumption solutions for solar power. Portugal’s latest auction of contracts to build and operate new solar energy capacity set a world record for the lowest price of future output. One winning bid was costing as little as 11.14 euros per megawatt hour (Mwh). The aim is to have 7,000 mw of renewable energy by 2030, which equates to 80% of consumable energy being produced by renewable resources. Fantastic. If life’s a beach, as of July 2020, there are now 360 praias with blue flag status, that’s 8 more than in 2019. And the Algarve claims 88 of them – more than any other region in the country. The eco-label is highly regarded and includes marinas and sustainable boat tours. A beach must meet environmental, educational, accessibility and safety criteria to scoop a coveted award. If that wasn’t good news, the countryside is powering up too… … with more organic farmers and growers coming to market. Organic farming entails adhering to stricter environmental best practices, preserving natural resources, keeping high standards and focussing on better animal welfare and production. Some 3,000 hectares of land in the Algarve is certified for organic farming, including olive groves, fruit and vegetable crops and wineries. And for a taste of the past, good things are happening, as a new venture has restarted the fish industry. At peak, 34,000 tons of products were produced and once employed 20,000 people in 150 factories. Check your supermarket shelves… buy local, support your growers. Help power the Algarvean economy.

If you need to know more about renewables, talk to your local experts. With over 20 years’ experience in the sector,

let Casa Verde show you their difference. The company has set high standards, ensuring reliability and service is at the forefront. And by only selling excellent products with good warranties, a lot of hassle and uncertainty has been taken away from the customer. They can help anyone constructing a new property, renovating an older one or just improving their existing home. Dedicated specialists minimize disruption whilst work is under way, showing a clean site is always a happy one! And the company can now communicate in four languages to help International clients! Casa Verde is client-focussed, and has recently started a new service offering a “complete green package” for homes. This is a free service bespoke to requirements. After a site visit and full assessment, Casa Verde will match the right solutions for your needs now and in the future. Findings are carefully evidenced in a custom designed brochure, illustrated with photos of what could be achieved.

Casa Verde’s mission has helped many customers become more energy efficient, reducing their carbon footprint in the process.

Thinking of going green… Ask how you can make a difference. Their range of renewable products and solutions all come with excellent manufacturer guarantees to give total peace of mind: • ProPERLA® coating • Air conditioning • Solar panels and battery storage • Hot water systems • Solar pool pumps and heating • Solar car-charging ports • Pool covers Save money. Discover your potential when it comes to reducing expensive utility bills. Take a free no obligation home energy assessment which allows their surveyors to check your consumption and needs.

Due to continued expansion, Casa Verde International recently opened its new office in early July 2020, at Quinta Shopping, the well-known open-air upscale mall, with its boutique shops and designer stores. Feel free to visit them, meet the team, have a coffee and get your free Casa Verde safety mask!

Phone: (+351) 289 012 373, mobile 967 946 216 Email: enquiries@casaverde-int.com

QUINTA DA TOR

Join us in getting to know one of the Algarve’s only Vineyards, Quinta da Tor. A must visit for wine lovers, they have a lot to offer and even more passion for the land they produce it from.

If you venture through the hills just north of Loule, that date back generations. Not only is it rare to have a you will come across numerous charming villages successful vineyard in the Algarve, Quinta da Tôr has some and towns surrounded by beautiful country views of the rarest wines in the world, their 17% Syrah Red wine and nature. One of these places is Tôr, located in is one of the only wines in the world that naturally reaches the transitional area between the fertile Barrocal 17% in Alcohol due to strict rules that surround wines and landscape and the Serra de Calderão range of hills. the unique climate needed to achieve it. But it’s not just the The area near Tôr and the neighbouring Querença strongest naturally occurring wine that makes them stand is rich in water with numerous springs and is very important out, the vineyard has 10 unique wines each with their own to the water supply of Loulé and Quarteira. At the entrance distinct flavours and processes. to Tôr is where you will find one of the Algarve’s only Vineyards, a Quinta da Tôr. The family took over the land in 2011 which already had an established vineyard and winehouse however it was in dire Quinta da Tôr is a family run business with ties to the land need of some TLC. The family, spurred by passion and pride

for their homeland, built a new winehouse, recouped the vineyard and the dream which is now a successful reality was born.

The first batches were composed of the red wine Quinta da Tôr – Touriga Nacional and Quinta da Tôr – Sirah, which were produced in 2013 and launched the following year. Later, in 2014, they released two more wines to establish their place in the market and they started to get feedback, when Sirah launched, it sold out in just over a month!

Over the years they added more wines to their roster and in 2018 they opened their in house shop, a place for clients to get to know the wines and buy directly from them. They also opened their doors for guided tours of the vineyard and wine tastings. The goal is to show their passion and that you bring home memories of the authentic Algarvean countryside.

The vineyard is 47 hectares and has 7 different types of grape which they use to produce 100,000 bottles of wine per year! They have an infinity pool and lounge which is available for guests where they serve wine with bread and select tapas such as cured meats and cheeses for you to enjoy with the vineyard and hillside views. They offer many different packages of wine tasting to suit your tastes so book your visit and enjoy a unique experience in the heart of the algarve.

Visit their website quintadator.com or call +351 968 427 271 for more information. Estrada EM525, Aldeia da Tôr, Morgado da Tôr, 8100-397 Loulé Open Monday - Sunday, 10:00h - 19:00h. Contact them at (+351) 913 971 522 or (+351) 934 769 706 or email info@casasdaria.com

DESIGN-IN YOUR HOME

Sesil Home’s Isabela Goncalves gives us her take on beach style interior design and some tips to keep in mind if you are thinking of renting out a property.

This seafront apartment in Quarteira was totally renovated with its amazing panoramic sea side view in mind, every colour and small details used is picked precisely to give you the same feeling of being at the beach. As soon as you enter the apartment you’ll see small wall of vertical wooden beams that welcomes you with plenty of light whilst still creating a division from the entrance to the kitchen. The kitchen was formerly a separate area from the living room, now, its a large open area drenched in sunlight with a direct view of the beach and sea behind it visible from every position. The apartment featured on pages 22-23 of the article is available for short and medium term rentals. If interested please contact +351 917 054 429.

As this apartment is a short to medium term holiday home, the goal was to keep the decor simple and functional. A bold centre piece was chosen as a standout feature which is the hand painted canvas of a coral reef with a strong aqua background, from there small decorative pieces can be found dotted around the apartment such as the shell on the coffee table, the ceramic plate on the dining table, both aqua in colour, as well as the small pillow on the sofa. Wood can also be found throughout the apartment, notably the kitchen table and the armchairs along with the twine rug to add a feeling of comfort and some extra character to the space.

Since the apartment was lacking in storage space, we added a built-in storage space into the wall that divides the main living area to the bedroom, this gave space to store towels and other items in the main area and the bedroom gained a closet full of space for clothes, shoes and other items.

The bathroom was an interior room that didn’t have much natural light and therefore the wall that separated the bedroom and the bathroom was replaced with a large panel of translucent glass which maintains privacy between the two areas whilst offering a large amount of natural light.

Ideas for yourBeach house...

Distressed features

Distressed wood panelled walls or adhesive removable faux wood panels and wooden furniture with distressed effect give any beach house a rustic feel and add tons of character.

Bamboo

From dining chairs to coffee tables, sideboards, ceiling lamps and pergola ceilings, bamboo used in a coherent way adds soul to any beach house.

Surfboard

Adding a decorative surfboard over an empty wall, works like a work of art and you automatically feel like you are in a relaxed beach environment.

Traditional Accents

Add old details around the house that belong to the maritime theme such as woven baskets, wooden oars, corals, fishing nets or drift wood.

Blue

And don’t forget, working with a chromatic palette of blues can never go wrong!

Meet Isabela:

Isabela studied Fashion and Branding at the University of Lisbon and also completed a course on Trends at Central Saint Martins, after finishing her masters she created her own clothing brand called Hode Studio. During this time she started working as a visual merchandiser at Guess and also working part time at her parents’ shop, Sesil to help when the shop was busy. As time went on she fell in love with the world of decor and the opportunity arose for the family to open a second Showroom in Olhao.

Due to this opportunity and her new love for decor, she decided to leave fashion behind and put 100% of her effort into decor, jumping straight into a professional course in the subject and 4 years and a lot of effort later she is now working full time at Sesil, progressing into full scale interior and decor projects.

If you have any questions or would like to contact Isabela you can reach her here: isabelafilipagoncalves@ gmail.com +351 917 054 429