You say you
love people and that was one of the reasons you took a degree in education, but
you ended up taking a different path in life...
Because I love
people so much and because I believe that education at an early age is crucial,
I chose to study nursery education. At the time, there were three options on
the scales - nursery education, child psychology or special education - and I
think any of them would have prepared me for dealing with people and for proper
training. After graduating, I decided to help my husband grow his parents’
company, at the time a small wine and spirits shop in the Algarve, which is now
one of the largest drinks companies in Portugal. More recently, I’ve been
studying art, a passion of mine.
More than
three decades later, the family business continues to expand steadily. What
have been the biggest challenges and achievements along this journey?
The greatest
challenges are the people, how we get them to feel the same motivation and
commitment, to build loyalty and to be an active part of the company’s growth.
The
achievements are immense, we have built solid and prosperous companies that are
recognised and sustainable, and a beautiful family that we would love to see
carry on the legacy. That’s why we work with a strong focus on their strength
and consistency.
What is the
most striking thing about a guest’s experience when they first come into
contact with Herdade da Malhadinha Nova?
What is most
striking is the place itself and the unique, unspoilt nature, which today
covers 610 hectares and goes hand in hand with sustainability. The Herdade da
Malhadinha Nova project involves investment and dedication in the areas that
make it up - economic, environmental and social - and the preservation of a
perfect ecosystem made up of holm oak groves, traditional olive groves, wheat
fields, oat fields and natural grasslands. It includes the restoration of
existing buildings with great respect for traditional architecture; the
planting of vines; native animal species; the certified Alentejo cow; the black
and white merino sheep; the black pig and the thoroughbred Lusitano horse, all
of which have protected designations of origin. Today, organic production is
self-sufficient, so we have certified wine, olive oil, honey, various cereals,
cows, sheep and black Iberian pigs. The fruit and vegetables served in the
restaurant are also heading towards self-sufficiency.
In addition to
all these improvements over 25 years, Malhadinha is part of an area protected
by the Natura 2000 Network and is therefore considered a National Agricultural
Reserve (RAN), a National Ecological Reserve (REN) and a local reserve,
belonging to the Castro Verde Special Preservation Zone (ZPE), which safeguards
the conservation of bird species and their habitats. It is, in fact, the
perfect, balanced ecosystem that most impresses visitors.
Winery, hotel,
livestock and agricultural production are all areas that make up the estate’s
daily life. Is it complex to run a business of this scale?
Yes, it is
complex. They are very different businesses within the Malhadinha universe and
all of them have a huge focus on the highest quality, but as we are all
passionate about each of them it becomes simpler.
How do you
attract workers in a village with 500 inhabitants in the Lower Alentejo? Looking after
and motivating more than a hundred employees is a challenge, but just as we
look after our customers, we also look after our teams. That’s the secret:
caring...
What are the
next steps for Garrafeira Soares in the wine sector?
In 2021, we
acquired a property in the Serra de São Mamede (Portalegre) and the wines
produced there are already on the market. As I said, our current strategy
involves the consistency and evolution of the organisation. We want our
companies to be solid and healthy, with deep roots that will lead to greater
longevity, without forgetting our commitment to innovation, which is also a
priority.
«I see myself
passing on the legacy to the younger generations»
