6 Best Sights in Vale dos Vinhedos, The South

Cave Geisse

Fodor's choice

This boutique winery has gathered a cult following for its sparkling wines, made with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grape varietals using the méthode champenoise. What really sets a visit to Cave Geisse apart is the Geisse experience: a bumpy ride for up to five people (R$70 per person) in a 4x4 buggy through parts of the vineyard’s 76 hectares of rolling hills, forests, and vines, with a pit stop by a waterfall for an impromptu tasting. Book ahead for a tour in English.

Casa Valduga

Linha Leopoldina

This large winery produces several lines of premium wines; the Cabernets and sparkling wines in particular are highly regarded. In summer you can take a tour of the family-owned vineyards and purchase other house products such as grape juice and fruit jellies.

Don Giovanni

Oozing old-world charm, this family-run winery in the bucolic hills around Pinto Bandeira makes a convenient base camp for a weekend of wine tasting, with a pousada and restaurant on-site. Don Giovanni has reputable sparkling wines, and also produces some Tannat, Merlot, and red blends. Turn up for a tour of the barrel rooms and cellar, or book ahead to arrange a more formal tasting in their tasting lab, or the sunset tasting, from a viewing deck among the vines.

Recommended Fodor's Video

Don Laurindo

Vale dos Vinhedos

Chances are you’ll be greeted at this small winery by the affable Ademir Brandelli, the fourth generation of a family of winemakers that dates back to 1887, when his great-grandfather emigrated from Verona. Ademir doesn’t speak English, but his son Moisés does, and group visits in English can be booked with him in advance. Wander through the barrel rooms and cellars, learning about the family history and the vines before tasting a selection of Don Laurindo’s wines.

Vinícola Almaúnica

Vale dos Vinhedos

An interesting addition to the Vale dos Vinhedos, the boutique winery Almaúnica opened to the public in 2010. In a refreshing break from colonial traditions, the modern production facility is housed in a contemporary glass-fronted building with high ceilings. Reds are the forte here; they produce the only Syrah in the valley. Still small, with little in the way of infrastructure for tourists (the owners don’t speak English), this winery is worth a stop nonetheless; just let the wines speak for themselves.

Vinícola Miolo

Vale dos Vinhedos

The Miolo family made its name in the Brazilian wine industry with Vinícola Miolo. One of Brazil's largest wine exporters, the company produces wines under 100 different labels on seven vineyards in southern Brazil. A visit to the vineyard gives a glimpse of the Miolo family's wine-making tradition that goes back to the 19th century. Tours of the vineyards and tastings of Chardonnays, Cabernet Sauvignons, Sauvignon Blancs, and sparkling wines are run daily.

The South

Recommended Fodor's Video

Follow Us

Thank you for your interest!