Serra Gaúcha: the mecca of Brazilian wine
The heartland of Brazilian wine, with almost half of the country’s vineyards, Serra Gaúcha rose to its current status after the mass Italian immigration of the late 19th century. At that time, families from all over Europe made their way to the New World with a promise of plenty of land and new opportunities.
Most of the Italian families coming to Brazil settled on the highlands of Rio Grande do Sul. The thick forests and undulating hillsides reminded them of home, and they planted vineyards and built farmhouses like the ones they had left behind.
Today, visiting Serra Gaúcha does indeed feel like visiting little Italy in the middle of Latin America. The wine families’ surnames (Salton, Miolo and Perini, for example) certainly sound Italian, and you’ll find every other restaurant serving pasta or pizza. The wines, however, are somewhat less Italian.
Castello Benvenutti
‘You could spend weeks exploring Serra Gaúcha – the bona fide heart and soul of Brazilian wine’