Arrival at the manor house at around 5 or 6 pm. There'll be welcome drinks on the terrace or at the beautifully renovated ’adega’ of the hotel which will be followed by a light supper in the restaurant. A leisurely breakfast. At around 11am you will be expected at the farm of a cheese maker in the midst of beautiful rolling hills - approx 30min by taxi and a beautiful drive. Quality ewe’s milk cheeses are made here, not dissimilar to the pecorino’s from Southern Tuscany. You will tour the farm and see how the cheese is made, thereafter a tasting of cheeses at various stages of maturation will be offered. Following the cheese-tasting it is a short 10-min drive by taxi to a modern local wine producer. You will be warmly welcomed at the beautiful quinta of this excellent small scale wine producer and you will receive a guided tour of the property. After the tour the visit concludes with a tasting of their signature wines, accompanied by various local delicacies, including chorizos, cheese and pastries, as a light lunch. Then its back to the hotel where there's time to relax and have a swim in the large outdoor pool. The first cooking class begins around 5pm and is taught by our young enthusiatic chef, Antonio, a native of Alentejo from the town of Beja. He has been 'head chef' of the restaurant since 2002 and since then he has become well-known in Portugal for his distinguished Alentejo cooking. He has won a number of Portuguese awards, co-wrote a cookery book and featured on television progrms, all of which has added to his fame and that of the restaurant. After the cooking lesson thre will be some time to relax and enjoy the splendid surroundings. Dinner is in the atmospheric restaurant and will consist of the dishes you have prepared, accompanied by wine. A leisurely breakfast. Around 10am it is time to leave the hotel for a trip to the Saturday Estremoz market, located approx 20mins drive away by taxi. This is one of the largest markets in the region, in the heart of a beautiful historical town. You will be accompanied by your local host and/or chef to help you pick out some of the best delicacies. From the market square it is a few minutes drive, or pleasant walk to a second winery. It's a lovely historic place, thought by some to be the most beautiful manor house of the Alentejo region. The 17th and 18th century buildings, while preserving the original baroque features, also house an excellent modern wine making operation. Our tour of the quinta will be followed by a wine tasting of their signature wines, accompanied by some delicious local food as a light lunch. After the tasting it's back to our hotel to unwind. The late afternoon cooking class will begin around 5pm at the hotel. This cooking class, also taught by Antonio, may focus on modern Portuguese cooking, with an emphasis on fish dishes. Lightness, freshness and colour will predominate. Dinner with matching wines to follow. Breakfast at leisure. Depart during morning or afternoon. This course is available all year round on a request basis and runs from Thursday to Sunday.