Serra Gaúcha is one of the most famous wine regions of Brazil, in the heartland of Rio Grande do Sul and home to the famed Vale dos Vinhedos. The wine region really is the heartland of fine wine in Brazil, with some of the most-prized appellations and best-known wineries as well as the greatest concentration of Brazilian wine production.
The ultimate guide to the Serra Gaucha wine region in Brazil
Terroir facts
Vale dos Vinhedos
Pinto Bandeira
Other sub-regions
Recommended wines for Serra Gaúcha
Serra Gaúcha is home to Brazil’s best-known wineries and is the most-visited wine region in the country. It is through a combination of terroir conditions and the important amount of Italian immigration in the region that has made it the bonafide heartland of Brazilian wine.
Most of Serra Gaúcha’s vineyards benefit from a hilly topography, which naturally allows the heavy rainfall – which can be quite typical in summer – to run off without waterlogging the vineyards. The conditions are quite similar in most sub-regions, with the soils generally being of mixed clay and basalt.
There are many different grape varieties planted in Serra Gaúcha but some of the highlights include Chardonnay, Merlot, and Moscato, as well as the excellent sparkling wines of both traditional and charmat method. Many of the wine styles of the region are influenced by the Italian and Portuguese heritages of the wine families that have settled there.
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Fast Facts on Serra Gaucha wine region
- Sub-regions: Vale dos Vinhedos, Pinto Bandeira, Monte Belo, Farroupilha, Altos Montes
- Altitude of vineyards: 300 to 850 m.a.s.l.
- Soil: Iron-rich clay over basaltic rock and black soils with high organic content
- Notable producers: Estrelas do Brasil, Era dos Ventos, Maximo Boschi, Peterlongo, X Decima, Chandon, Aurora, Garibaldi, Salton
Sub-regions in Serra Gaúcha
Vale dos Vinhedos
Known for its top-drawer Merlot, Chardonnay and sparkling wines, Vale dos Vinhedos is Brazil’s premier wine region, home to some of the biggest names and most-prized wines in the business.
Frequently referred to as Brazil’s answer to Italy’s Piedmont, it is indeed a little Italy in many ways with small farmsteads, numerous pizza and pasta restaurants, and some of the locals even speak an old dialect of Italian.
Vale dos Vinhedos is still the only DO in Brazil, although there are now several IPs for other wine regions.
Pinto Bandeira
Pinto Bandeira is all about its sparkling wine, as far as I’m concerned. This historical region has been making a gamut of wines since the first Italian immigrants arrived in the 1880s and although hybrids dominate the vineyard area, the reason Pinto Bandeira has become known in wine circles is for its more recent renaissance making high-quality traditional method sparkling wines.
Other regions: Altos Montes, Farroupilha & Monte Belo
Altos Montes is one of the highest regions in Serra Gaúcha with vineyards planted at up to 885 m.a.s.l., and is renowned for pioneering high-quality wines in Brazil moving away from hybrids in the 1930s. Farroupilha is focused on making wines from Moscato Branco that come in a huge range of styles, from sparkling and sweet to dry and still, with a host of brandies made there too. Monte Belo is one of the westernmost regions and it is a historic region that was first planted in the mid-1870s. It is one of the lower-altitude regions within Serra Gaúcha and, although small, focuses on vitis vinifera wine production.
Photos all by Salton winery.
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Wines to try from Serra Gaúcha
VENTURA, Marselan
Serra Gaúcha / $$ / Drinking window <8 years
There’s a growing number of vinhos de autor in Serra Gaúcha, reigniting the tradition of boutique vignerons. This limited-edition Marselan shows the potential of this modern variety in the cool, wet climate of Serra. Filled with ripe plum, spice, cigar box and meaty aromas, it’s great with Brazilian pork dishes or ragú with pasta.
MAXIMO BOSCHI, Biografia Brut
Serra Gaúcha / $$ / Drinking window <10 years
This classic Chardonnay-Pinot Noir blend spends over three years on the lees and results in a rich, honeyed sparkling wine with notes of brioche and apple pie. I’d gobble pão de queijo with this as a weekend treat.
CAVE GEISSE, Terroir Nature NV
Pinto Bandeira / $$ / Drinking window <10 years
One of the maestros of Brazilian bubbles, Mario Geisse shows the true potential of Nature (no dosage) sparkling wines. A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with four years on the lees, this is layered, spicy and leesy, and strikes the perfect balance between complexity and vibrancy.
MIOLO, Quinta do Seival Castas Portuguesas
Campanha Gaúcha / $$ / Drinking window <10 years
This half-and-half blend has all the floral and earthy notes of Touriga Nacional with the rich plum and stewed berry aromas of Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo). The ripe tannins and full-bodied concentration come from the warmer temperatures of the Campanha region and this will certainly age well. Miolo also makes a fab monovarietal Touriga Nacional.
CASA VALDUGA, Sur Lie Nature NV
Vale dos Vinhedos /$$ / Drinking window <8 years
Casa Valduga make some great sparkling wines, and this Chardonnay-Pinot Noir blend spends over two years on the lees and taps into the unfiltered sparkling wine trend that is taking Brazil by storm. Rich, full- bodied and creamy, yet underpinned with poignant acidity and delicate notes of flowers, spices and herbs. Lovely stuff.
CASA PERINI, Moscatel Espumante NV
Farroupilha / $ / Drinking window <4 years
Sparkling Moscatel is a simple pleasure, but a worthy one — and Farroupilha is probably the best place for it. The Perini family have a long tradition of making this sparkling wine in the same way as their Italian ancestors. Fruity, floral and delicately sweet — a good way to start a party.
PIZZATO, Chardonnay de Chardonnays
Vale dos Vinhedos / $$ / Drinking window <8 years
It was with his Merlot that Flavio Pizzato first made waves two decades ago, but I’m particularly partial to his Chardonnay, which is nicely pared down and mineral compared to most high-end Chardonnay wines here. Refreshing, with bright fruit and a firm, lean structure.
Map of Serra Gaúcha wine region
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