Solar de Vilar Seco
Serra da Estrela Cheese in Vilar Seco, Quinta da Estaca© Quinta da Estaca / Rota dos Queijos do Centro de Portugal · Cortesia / Courtesy · Wikimedia Commons
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Serra da Estrela Cheese in Vilar Seco, Quinta da Estaca

Cheesemaking workshop, shepherding, milking and tasting of Beira Alta produce, a few steps from the Manor, in Vilar Seco.

Serra da Estrela PDO cheese · Shepherding · Milking · Tasting · Workshop

About the experience

In Vilar Seco, virtually on the Manor's doorstep, Quinta da Estaca is a family cheese dairy devoted to Serra da Estrela PDO cheese. Led by Leandra Ricardo and Aurélio Pinto, it welcomes guests to share the full cycle: from the Bordaleira sheep flock to the curing of the buttery cheese.

The flagship programme is the Serra da Estrela PDO Cheesemaking Workshop, where guests follow the traditional process alongside the in-house cheesemaker (60–75 min, minimum 2 people, November to May). A shorter version with video explanation is available all year (~25 min).

The visit can be extended with a Regional Produce Tasting, Serra da Estrela PDO cheese, cured sheep's cheese, requeijão, sausages, corn bread, pão-de-ló, sweets, honey and Dão wine, and a Farm Visit & Shepherding to meet the flock, interact with the lambs and discover the shepherd's daily life. For the most curious, joining the Milking at sunrise or sunset closes the cycle that brings milk to cheese.

Practical details

  • Serra da Estrela PDO Cheesemaking Workshop, €15/person · 60–75 min · min. 2 people · November to May (times on request).
  • Cheesemaking video explanation, €2.50/person · 20–25 min · all year round.
  • Regional Produce Tasting (cheeses, requeijão, sausages, corn bread, pão-de-ló, sweets, honey and Dão wine), €8/person · 30 min.
  • Farm Visit & Shepherding, €1/person · 30 min · all year round.
  • Milking at sunrise/sunset, €1/person · 30 min · November to May.
  • Address: Rua das Bocas, 28, Vilar Seco, 3520-225 Nelas. Contacts: Leandra Ricardo (+351) 934 095 808 · Aurélio Pinto (+351) 961 614 719 · quintadaestaca@gmail.com.
  • Bookings handled through the Solar. Offer subject to seasonality and production availability.

More information

Bordaleira da Serra da Estrela sheep flock at Quinta da Estaca, in Vilar Seco.
Bordaleira da Serra da Estrela sheep flock at Quinta da Estaca, in Vilar Seco.
Traditional making of Serra da Estrela PDO cheese, guided by the in-house cheesemaker.
Traditional making of Serra da Estrela PDO cheese, guided by the in-house cheesemaker.
Tasting hamper: cheeses, requeijão, sausages, corn bread, pão-de-ló, sweets, honey and Dão wine.
Tasting hamper: cheeses, requeijão, sausages, corn bread, pão-de-ló, sweets, honey and Dão wine.
Milking the flock at sunrise and sunset, a daily routine open to visitors.
Milking the flock at sunrise and sunset, a daily routine open to visitors.

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