History

Since 1995

The Herdade da Apariça, Chaparral, and Pinheiro do Marco estates—comprising a total of 800 hectares—were acquired in 1995 by Jorge Bobone and his father, Carlos Bobone. Located in the Baixo Alentejo region, between Castro Verde and Mértola, the estate’s primary activity is the extensive raising of purebred Mertolenga cattle, as well as Mertolenga-Charolais crossbreeds, for beef production. The herd consists of 200 breeding females, 5 bulls, and their offspring. The owners are members of the Association of Mertolenga Cattle Breeders.

When the property was acquired in 1995, it was used exclusively for sheep grazing, with very little cultivation or managed pastureland. As the area is largely a steppe-like landscape with minimal forest cover, the owners decided from the outset to undertake reforestation efforts, planting species characteristic of this region: holm oaks and cork oaks. Today, the estate features 280 hectares of *montado* (oak woodland)—a landscape that will provide significant long-term benefits to the area.

At the time of the acquisition, the farm buildings (*Monte*) were in ruins. Step by step, the *Monte da Apariça* was restored, preserving its traditional Alentejo architectural style while ensuring the functionality required for an estate with a strong agricultural focus.