Description

Vale dos Vinhedos (Vineyard Valley)is a region of Rio Grande do Sul State famous for the production of wines and sparkling wines. It comprises a rural route that covers three municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul: Monte Belo do Sul, Garibaldi and Bento Gonçalves, which is the largest of them and also in whose territory most of the tourist route is located.

A tour of Vale dos Vinhedos includes highly photographable landscapes and an immersion in the culture of Italian immigrants, represented by the hospitality in the services offered, the abundant cuisine and, of course, the dozens of wineries of all sizes – from canteens to large internationally known companies. . An ideal day in the region starts with a hearty breakfast – because soon, for those who like it, it will be time to taste a few good sips of wine. So, nothing on an empty stomach – the risk of “jumping the start” is great.

If the idea is to go for a walk without commitment, take the road towards Vale dos Vinhedos (if you are not already staying there) and stop at the wineries, restaurants and shops selling local products that suit you best. Now, if the idea is to get to know the region’s wine production in more depth – and without wasting time – it’s good to make a plan. There are many wineries in Vale dos Vinhedos and the types of visits that can be made in them.

When putting together your itinerary, it is good to know: there are wineries with large production and well-known names among Brazilians (such as Miolo and Casa Valduga, although this one has significantly reduced its production, choosing to focus on more elaborate wines); there are small family ones (Angheben, Marco Luigi, Dom Laurindo) and wineries with a more “boutique” profile (such as Lídio Carraro, Almaúnica, Barcarola).

Although they are not in Vale dos Vinhedos, which is just one of the many tourist routes in Bento Gonçalves, it is also worth mentioning two other large wineries: Aurora and Salton, located in the city center and in Vale do Rio das Antas, respectively. In all of them it is possible to do tastings and in some, visitors can opt for guided tours through the wine cellars, knowing the whole process from grape production to bottling and maturation of wines and sparkling wines. And a really cool tip: wineries like Casa Valduga, Miolo and Salton also offer a tasting course of approximately two hours – in which you walk through the cellars, taste and even learn about the color, aromas and how to identify the different types of grape. Usually these courses are taught by winemakers and are very worthwhile!