Casal de tralhariz
Casal de Tralhariz is a serene rural guesthouse in the Douro Valley, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, rolling hills, and the gentle rhythm of country life. It’s a place where time slows down, nature becomes part of every moment, and the beauty of simplicity is deeply felt. Guests come for restful stays, authentic gastronomy, wine experiences, outdoor activities, and to reconnect with nature in one of Portugal’s most breathtaking landscapes.
I was brought in to shape Casal de Tralhariz’s visual communication from the ground up—leading the creative direction, photography, design, and social media strategy. The challenge was to translate the calm energy of the place, its timeless atmosphere, and the feeling of being immersed in the Douro’s quiet beauty into a cohesive visual language. It was about capturing not just what the experience is, but how it feels to be there—the light at sunrise over the vineyards, the warm textures of stone and wood, and the inviting simplicity of country life.
Working with Casal de Tralhariz was one of the most rewarding experiences: building a visual identity for a place that feels like a slow breath in a fast world, and helping others discover its magic visually before they even arrive.
Design & Strategy
For Casal de Tralhariz, I designed and illustrated packaging labels for their in-house regional products: a line of Douro wine, their own olive oil, and a selection of handcrafted jams. It was essential that the visual language transport you directly into the Douro region—reflecting its heritage, landscape, and premium quality. Each label had to feel rooted in place, with a balance of rustic charm and refined identity.
Alongside product design, I helped shape the broader social media strategy. This included how the brand is presented visually on social platforms, how the voice and imagery maintain consistency, and how to create a cohesive feeling that resonates with both locals and visitors. The aim was to ensure every post not only looks beautiful but feels like a genuine extension of the Casal experience.
Web Design
I also designed the website for Casal de Tralhariz—a project where storytelling and functionality needed to coexist harmoniously. Casal isn’t just a guesthouse; it’s a destination with many layers: accommodation details, in-house gastronomy, products, experiences, events, and the region’s rich cultural context. The website had to capture all of this without losing the brand’s minimal, calm aesthetic.
The challenge was to organize and present a diverse range of information in a way that feels effortless, inviting, and true to the serene spirit of Casal de Tralhariz. The result is a space that welcomes visitors online the same way the property welcomes guests—warmly, thoughtfully, and with a sense of calm.
PHOTOGRAPHY
I spent two days living on site at Casal de Tralhariz—experiencing everything from the first light of sunrise over the vineyards to the still warmth of sunset. I took photos with multiple goals in mind: images for the website, content for booking platforms, and visuals that communicate the feeling of being there for social media.
Those two days were about more than shooting pretty pictures—they were about absorbing the rhythms of the place: morning mist rising from the fields, meals shared at long tables, the texture of olive oil on a sun-lit terrace, and the welcome warmth of hearth and home. The photography aims not just to show the beauty of the property but to evoke the sensory experience of staying there—so when someone sees the images, they feel as though they’ve already arrived.
