I’m super excited that you want to come and spend some time at the Quinta. Let’s make it happen…
I host two “types” of volunteers:
– Short-term, for up to two weeks.
– “Intern” for up to three months.
The main difference with longer stays (“interns”) is that they’re usually people I know because they stayed before, or who have a lot of experience in areas like winemaking, permaculture, or organic farming. I also look for interns to be more independent and possibly take charge of small projects around the farm.
There are no vacancies for volunteering for the remainder of 2025. Please check back in Autumn for vacancies in 2026.
The tasks vary, depending on the time of the year and the other people there. Some special dates/focus activities are coming up:
Spring (Feb/March): Preparation of a new vineyard. This is a lot of very hard work. Please only apply if you have a strong interest in wine/vines and this type of work.
Grape Harvest (August/early September): Grape Harvest. This is a “standby” volunteering, as we harvest when the grapes reach a certain sugar/acidity level. At that point, it is hard work of 6 hours per day harvesting (and optional grape processing if you are interested in that). Please only apply if you have a strong interest in natural wines and previous experience.
For the rest of the time, tasks involve:
- vegetable garden maintenance
- weeding, pruning, landscaping
- natural winemaking, vineyard management
- harvesting olives, fruits, grapes
- household maintenance
… whatever is needed
Practical stuff:
Depending on who is at the farm, you will share the house with me, three dogs, two cats – and maybe one or two more people.
Accommodation is in your own room (shared if you come as a couple/friends).
The kitchen, living room, bathrooms and outdoor spaces are shared.
Food is free. There is a light self-serving breakfast (yoghurt, fruit etc).
Lunch and dinner are provided and eaten together with everyone there.
There is some more general info in the Gatherings/Quinta FAQ which may be useful!
How to become a volunteer…
Volunteering for up to two weeks is the ideal way to get to know the Quinta and find out more. The process is simple:
- Check the available dates below
- Complete this form to give me some basic details about you.
- We agree on a time to meet (via Zoom)
- We have a “chemistry call” and can about all the details, questions etc and agree on when you can come.
Travel & Leisure
We are located in the middle of the São Mamede Natural Park, close to the ancient village of Marvão, and around 10 minutes away from the beautiful town of Castelo de Vide and Valencia de Alcantara (just over the Spanish border). There are two buses a day to/from Lisbon.
There is a very active alternative and queer-friendly community in this area, with plenty of activities: yoga, 5 rhythms, guided nature walks and foraging, pizza parties, artists- and street festivities and much, much more. There are also many walks, secluded river beaches, lakes and waterfalls and plenty of other opportunities to connect to this beautiful part of Portugal. There are many prehistoric monuments, like cave drawings, monolithic monuments and the ruins of the Roman city of Ammaia.