Wine lover can visit wineries near São Paulo – 07/19/2023 – Red or White

Wine, mountains and a fireplace have always been synonymous with winter vacations for people from São Paulo with a little money in their pockets. In the mountains close to the metropolis, families from the capital and medium-sized cities in the interior find an ideal climate to relax and feel that, in fact, it is winter. The days are sunny and you can go horseback riding, hiking and sometimes even go to a pool or a waterfall, but the nights are very cold, great for drinking red wine, eating fondue, sitting in front of the fire.
Now, in addition, the region of Campos de Jordão, São Bento do Sapucaí and Santo Antônio do Pinhal, as well as other parts of Serra da Mantiqueira and its surroundings, is even more attractive for wine lovers: in the last decade, vineyards of various types spread over its hills. The so-called Triângulo das Serras has become a wine tourism destination (one of several that have recently emerged). As a result, July vacations in the mountains now include winery tours.
Considered impossible until very recently, today it is common to grow grapes of the species vitis vinifera (used for fine wines) in the southeast region. It is possible largely due to the development of a new pruning technology by the agronomist Murillo de Albuquerque Regina, from Epamig (Agricultural Research Company of Minas Gerais). This technology, known as double pruning, makes it possible to invert the harvest period. That is, instead of harvesting in the summer when it rains too much and the humidity brings diseases to the grapes, it is now possible to harvest in the winter when the weather is dry.

Double pruning, however, only works in regions that are not too cold, as the berries need heat to ripen. Above a certain altitude, it is not always possible to produce grapes with double pruning. For this reason, in the Triângulo das Serras it is also common, depending on the altitude of the vineyard, to find vines cultivated with a plastic cover that protects them from the rain.
Regardless of the field technology used, the quality of wines in the region is usually excellent, but be prepared, they are not cheap. Most of these wineries have small production and sell almost everything they produce (for whatever price), without much effort, on the property.
If you intend to climb the mountain this winter, you can take the opportunity to visit one of the following wineries:

Villa Santa Maria, Sao Bento do Sapucai
One of the best structured, Villa Santa Maria has a restaurant with tables in the garden. It has a beautiful tasting room and a shop. It tends to get crowded. The wines carry the Brandina brand. Try the Brandina Sauvignon Blanc (R$159.00). This grape did very well in the southeast.
Booking via WhatsApp (12) 99633-0222. In July it is open every day. Menu per person (R$ 250), paired menu (R$ 330), guided tour (R$ 20 per person, no charge if the visitor does the tasting), tasting (R$ 100.00, for 5 labels).

Roots of Baú, Sao Bento do Sapucai
The most beautiful view of Pedra do Baú. The wines are also very good. Try the Baú 9.4 Syrah (R$ 210), which does not go through barrels and, therefore, has a lot of fruit aroma. Vineyard Tour with Wine Tasting (R$120) and Picnic in the Vineyard (R$155). Wines are not included. Whatsapp (12) 99600-7711.

Bela Vista Winery, Sao Bento do Sapucai
The youngest winery in the group is also the highest altitude winery in Brazil (1785). It is in its second season. Offers guided tour of the vineyard, picnic with cold cuts board and exotic fruits and a tasting glass, for R$ 150 per person. Bookings will be made on Instagram @vinicolabelavista.

Between Villages, Sao Bento do Sapucai
A pioneer in the region, it works with wines with minimal intervention. The owner Rodrigo Veraldi is an agronomist and specialist in indoor cultivation techniques. In addition to being an agronomist, Rodrigo is also a chef and cooks at the restaurant on weekends and holidays. The six-course lunches last from three to four hours and the tour of the vineyards takes place in the intervals between one course and another. The winery is small and everything is very close. The wines are great, but it produces few bottles. So it often happens that they have no bottle of their own wine to serve. But they have it from other producers and they don’t charge for the corkage. Lunch costs BRL 340 per person and does not include drinks. Reservations through the website (www.entrevilas.com.br/).

Ferreira Winery, Pirangucu
It’s a big project, with 100 hectares of vineyards, all covered. Harmonized tasting with meal and 6 wines (R$545), a la carte lunch (average ticket R$220) and picnic (R$120 per person). If you’re willing to spend, try the Piquant Soleil 2022 (R$ 499) that just won a gold medal in the competition of the English magazine Decanter. But there are labels starting at R$140. Reservations through the website (

Essenza Space, Santo Antônio do Pinhal
With less than one hectare planted with grapes, the project opened to the public last year is very much aimed at tourism. Even so, the wine ceases to have quality. Quite the opposite. The Espaço Essenza Shiraz Rosé wine (R$ 200), for example, which is only in its fourth vintage, has already received several awards, including a silver medal at the 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards. R$220) or a picnic basket (R$490, for two people, with a bottle of wine). Reservations through the website (

PRESENT LINK: Did you like this text? Subscriber can release five free hits of any link per day. Just click the blue F below.