Share
100% funded by 431 investors
Alto do Rio Farm
Douro, PT
instalment
monthly
term
5 years
yearly interest
4.5%
risk rating
B-
Solar, biomass and geothermal energy for rural tourism.
Description
Quinta do Alto do Rio will be a rural area touristic development, inserted in a farm in Cinfães, with 6.5 hectares, and production of cherry trees, chestnut trees and other trees in an orchard.
The project consists of the recovery and expansion of a 20th-century house inserted in agricultural property, with a view to creating a rural area touristic unit with 6 accommodation units. The €110,000 investment includes the works needed for the recovery and expansion project, as well as all furniture and equipment (including a swimming pool).
The work will preserve, recover and enhance the architectural, historical, natural and landscape heritage of the site, ensuring the integration of the construction that exists there in the surrounding environment, using local techniques and materials.
The entrance to the house will be next to the stone winepress (which will be maintained).
This will be the first unit in mainland Portugal with a 100% biological certified service.
Breakfast will be fully organic and made at the property itself, with the farm's products. The remaining meals may be made available upon request by the guests but will be prepared by local restaurants.
The unit will be self-sufficient in energy terms. The funds raised through this campaign will be used to acquire a sustainable air conditioning and hot water system, using solar, biomass, and geothermal energies, as well as a heat pump. The entire property will be supplied, in terms of water, by the well and its pump that capture the water.
The Impact
Direct:
The project to be financed will allow for the use of efficient and renewable energy, supplying the entire water, heating and cooling systems, through the use of three renewable energy systems:
- Use of geothermal energy: considered one of the cleanest and most reliable sources of energy in the range of renewable energies, the state-of-the-art geothermal heat pump, financed in this project, in addition to using renewable energies to produce heat, uses 70% less energy than a conventional heating and cooling system and 40% less energy than a new heating and cooling system.
- Use of solar thermal system: the production of sanitary hot water is the second largest factor of energy consumption at home, representing 24% of the total energy consumption. Standing out as one of the most renewable technologies in the fight against climate change, the type of solar thermal system equipment, to be financed by the project, allows for average monthly energy savings of 70%, which can increase to 100% where there is greater exposure. At the same time, solar energy does not emit greenhouse gases, so it does not contribute to global warming.
- Use of biomass heat reclaimers: biomass is a 100% natural and renewable energy source for the production thermal energy, at a much lower cost than fossil fuels, while also being carbon neutral.
Indirect:
- Preservation of cultural and natural heritage: the reconstruction and expansion of the existing construction will ensure its integration in the surrounding environment, thus valuing the architectural, historical, natural and landscape heritage of the site.
- Promotion of the development of the local community: the Quinta do Alto do Rio project will ensure the revitalization of the economic fabric of Cinfães, through partnerships with local entities, such as outings with pastors, cultural activities and partnerships with food and beverage establishments.
- Promotion of Biotourism: Quinta do Alto do Rio, aims to be the first hotel unit in mainland Portugal with a 100% organic certified service (including the production and food offered to guests).
- Organic Production: planting of 3 ha of cherry trees and 2 ha of chestnut trees. An orchard of 1h a was also created, in order to support the tourist activity.
Impact Indicators
3
Hectares for biodiversity
Contribution to the Sustainable
Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goals
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Financial viability
The tourist unit is positioned in a medium to high client segment, and the project is expected to be completed in March 2021, with the opening expected to take place in July of the same year.
In the project’s financing, an additional 350.000€ loan is expected as part of a credit line program.
Download Key Investment Information Sheet
Guarantees
Equipment pledge.
The Promoter
About Quinta Alto do Rio - Sociedade Agrícola e Turística, Lda
Quinta Alto do Rio – Sociedade Agrícola e Turística, Lda was created in December 2013 by Tiago Hespanhol Chaves (current President and majority shareholder) and by Paula Hespanhol Coelho.
In 2014, the company signed a 20-year contract for a property in Lugar de Souto do Rio, in the municipality of Cinfães, with the goal of developing an agricultural and tourism project.
In the same year, a public grant for young farmers was approved. The project included planting three hectares of cherry trees and two hectares of wild chestnut trees and all the necessary infrastructure and support equipment for tourism. The trees were grafted with different varieties, in order to preserve traditional species of the region and at the same time produce several times a year. All production is organically certified by Certiplanet, having had two annual certification audits without any non-compliance points in the last three years.
Given the high potential of the property for tourist purposes, with a unique view of the Douro River, Bestança, and the Old Port, the promoters want to develop a bio tourism project, that has been approved by the City Council.
The project is based on the following values:
- Ethics: in all actions, acting in accordance with moral principles and integrity.
- Environmental sustainability: ensuring respect for the environment, ecology, and sustainable development of the local community.
- Tradition: ensuring the continuity and transmission of local values and customs.
- Sophistication: in the approach and in all services provided.
- Respect for nature and well-being of all individuals.
Business Model
Quinta Alto do Rio includes two distinct projects: an agricultural project and a construction project. The agricultural project includes the production and marketing of pomoids and prunoids, nuts and other fruits in trees and shrubs, this was approved in December 2014 and has been implemented since January 2015.
Given the high potential of the property for tourist purposes, with a unique view of the Douro River and Bestança and the Old Port, the promoter is now developing a tourism project, which will host 12 guests, in six accommodation units with six double beds.
The project has been approved by the City Council and allows for changes and expansions of the existing infrastructure. Its owners intend to share their values with their future guests through this agrotourism-oriented development, valuing and respecting the environment and local/regional culture. The project aims to bring the business closer to a concept of bio tourism, a concept still to be further explored in Portugal.
Among several key aspects of the tourist project, the following stand out: the proximity to a nationally and internationally recognized region (Douro); the concept of bio tourism; the existence of several points of interest nearby (Roman Route, Douro, and Bestança rivers); property ownership and energy efficiency.
The company's shareholder structure consists of two partners, Paula Hespanhol, holder of 49%, and her brother, Tiago Hespanhol, who owns 51% of the company. The project combines the knowledge and experience acquired by Tiago Hespanhol who has a degree in Hotel Management, by the School of Hospitality and Tourism of Porto, and the business experience of his partner Paula Hespanhol.
Since January 2015, António Strecht (engineer, farmer, director of edibio publishing house and the magazine O Segredo da Terra) has been following and guiding this project, focused on respect for the land and matters such as what trees to be planted (selection of species, and conservation).
The project will be implemented on 10.150m2., approximately one-fifth of the total area of the land (64.750m2).
Active since
2013
Fiscal country
PT
Operating In
Portugal
Industry
Tourism
Number of Goparity Loans
2
Women Shareholders
No
Updates
2021-09-17
First payment
First instalment was paid to all the investors
2021-08-17
100% funded
412 investors successfully raised 26.000€
2021-08-16
Campaign amount reduction
The equipment to be funded through this campaign (a sustainable air conditioning and hot water system, and a heat pump) will be delivered on 20/08/2021. On this date, the promoter will have to make a payment to the installer corresponding to 30% of the total budget required (110.000€).
On 16/08/2021, the promoter decided to reduce the campaign amount from 60.000€ to 26.000€ in order to anticipate the funds' release and use the money to make the first payment to the installer. The remaining amount will be paid with its own funds. Every time there is a change of conditions during a campaign, investors have the right to withdraw their investment.
2021-08-05
Open for investment
This campaign is open for investment
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