Volunteering at the Quinta means joining daily life on the farm for a while. The work is mostly centred around the house, vegetable gardens, Forest Garden, dogs, cat, kitchen, and the land immediately around. It is practical work: useful, ordinary, sometimes repetitive, and always unique.
It suits people who want to explore living close to the land, help with real tasks, cook and eat together, and be part of a queer-led rural home for a longer stay.
What you may help with
Tasks change all the time – and obviously also depend very much on your abilities or interests. Some of these tasks are
- vegetable garden work
- planting, weeding, watering, and harvesting
- land clearing (if you are comfortable with powertools)
- preserving food
- cooking, cleaning and helping around the house
- dog and cat care
- occasionally house and pet sitting while I am away
- light maintenance
- helping prepare for small gatherings
Most work is simple. You do not need to be an expert, but you do need to be willing to learn, ask, notice, and help.
Work rhythm
The usual rhythm is around four hours per day, five days per week. In summer, work often happens in the morning before the heat becomes too strong. Afternoons are normally free for resting, reading, walking, swimming, visiting nearby villages, or exploring the São Mamede Natural Park, hop to Spain or…
Some days are clearly planned. Other days are more unplanned; that’s life here. Generally, I try to make a work plan with each volunteer once a week, so we know what to expect for the week.
Accommodation
You will be sharing the house with me, and sometimes one or two other people. Accommodation is in your own room. The kitchen, living room, bathrooms, outdoor terraces, and common spaces are shared. Everyone helps keep the house clean, usable, and pleasant.
The farm is pretty big, so there are plenty of spaces to escape if you want some quiet time. You are also welcome to bring your own tent or borrow one from me if you want to spend some time “out there”.
Food
Food is provided as part of the volunteering. Meals at the Quinta are vegetarian and often vegan. Breakfast is usually help-yourself. Lunch and dinner are normally cooked and eaten together when people are here.
The kitchen is part of the exchange. Helping with cooking, washing up, and using what is available from the garden or local producers is just as important as outdoor work.
Queer space and naturism
The Quinta is a queer-led space. I’m gay, and queer people, friends, volunteers, and visitors are part of normal life here. You do not need to be queer to volunteer, but you do need to be relaxed and respectful in a space where queer life is “the normal”.
In warm weather, life on the farm can be naturist. This depends on who is here, what work is happening, and what feels right for everyone present. Consent and safety come first.
The wider project
Alongside the Quinta, I run Bar Salto just across the border in Spain, the São Mamede Wine Project, and the Wine School.
Volunteering is based at the Quinta. It does not include work at Bar Salto, the Wine School, or the vineyard. However, you are always invited to join events, tastings, meals, or social evenings there if you want to.
Who fits well
Volunteering works best for people who are independent, practical, kind, calm around dogs and cats, and comfortable with rural life (note: it’s not necessarily a quiet life!).
It helps if you are interested in permaculture, food growing, vegetarian cooking, ecology, natural wine, queer space, naturism, or simply spending time outside doing useful work.
Local area
The Quinta is in the São Mamede Natural Park, close to the Portugal-Spain border.
There are villages nearby with cafés, shops, markets, concerts, pizza nights, and a lively alternative community. Shops, cafés, and restaurants are around 1.5 km away.
There are buses from Lisbon and a limited service from Madrid. Independent transport, by bike or car, is very useful because local public transport is limited.
Camper vans cannot access the property itself, but parking nearby is usually possible.
Stay length
Volunteer stays are usually for a minimum of one month. That gives enough time to settle in, understand the place, get to know the dogs and cat, and become genuinely useful.
How to apply
Send a short message with:
- the dates you are interested in
- why you would like to come
- any relevant experience
- what kind of work you enjoy
- dietary needs or allergies
- your comfort level with dogs and cats
- anything practical I should know
Before confirming a stay, we will have a short video call. It is the easiest way to meet, ask questions, and see whether the stay feels right for both sides.