Ravinder Bhogal on the unspoilt rural beauty of Alentejo, Portugal

The restaurateur shares an undiscovered idyll of sun-dappled streets, incredible local wine and highly covetable ceramics

- Ravinder Bhogal

Where is your favourite destination and why?

My most recent discovery is Alentejo in rural Portugal which is still unspoilt and undiscovered by the hordes. It’s going to come because it’s beautiful; the wine is amazing, it’s such a draw. But it hasn’t just yet. I would love to go back. I really want to go and learn more about the vineyards and do a proper wine tasting.

When was the last time you were there, and who were you with?

I was there in the summer with my husband Nadeem for a few sunny, idling days.

Where do you like to stay there?

São Lourenço do Barrocal. It’s a haven that looks like it’s been plucked from the pages of Architectural Digest. I think the property used to be an industrial commune, so there were 200 families living and working there. It was all this land that has remained in the family for all this time; for 200 years. It’s spread out among vineyards, cork trees and orchards. I fell in love with their design, food, genial team and their authenticity — their culture of existing in harmony with nature and doing things the way their ancestors did.

What has been your favourite meal there?

The barbecue restaurant at the hotel. It’s an organic estate and they try to do as much as possible with what’s available. I still remember the barbecue pork belly, crackling with an off-the-Richter crunch and the swatches of gelatinous meat that were as tender as the night. They have an array of vegetarian sides that come out, like beautiful barbecued avocado — that was a first for me.

Where would you go for breakfast, lunch and supper?