The first edition of the Festival Vale dos Vinhedos drew over 8,000 visitors for three days of wine, culture, and emotion marking the 2026 harvest season in Southern Brazil.
From March 27 to 29, 2026, the Vale dos Vinhedos — birthplace of Brazil’s first wine Denomination of Origin — lived a milestone weekend. The inaugural Festival Vale dos Vinhedos was more than an event: it was a deep encounter with the soul of a territory shaped by generations of winemakers, immigrants, and community. Around 8,000 people took part across the three days, in a grand celebration of the 2026 Vindima (wine harvest).
A Gala Night of Time and Legacy
On Friday, March 27, the festival opened with the Vale dos Vinhedos Gala Dinner “Time and Legacy” at Hotel Villa Michelon. One hundred and twenty-five guests experienced 14 iconic labels from the Vale — many from landmark vintages, some no longer available on the market. Chef Rodrigo Bellora crafted a five-course menu designed to complement each wine, combining technical precision with genuine emotional sensitivity.
For Aprovale president André Larentis, the festival marks a new chapter of maturity for the region. “Vale dos Vinhedos is now in a new cycle. We are a consolidated destination, built collectively, integrating wine, gastronomy, culture, landscape and experience. The Festival was born to translate that essence — not just in the glass, but in everything the Vale represents.”
Saturday: A Celebration for Everyone
Saturday, March 28, brought the festival’s largest and most open event, held outdoors at the Historic Center of Vale dos Vinhedos, on the Linha 6 da Leopoldina. Families, children, friends, and visitors from across Brazil came together for a free-admission day. 19 wineries sold 2,500 bottles of wines and sparkling wines, while the Mercatino marketplace showcased local crafts, colonial flavors, and artisanal products. Cultural workshops — on traditional dishes, basketry, and crocheting — blended residents and tourists in experiences that bridge generations.
The emotional peak came at dusk, when a tractor slowly rolled in carrying winemakers alongside their barrels. Producers from estates including Miolo, Casa Valduga, Pizzato, Don Laurindo, and Monte Chiaro were present — representing not just their labels, but the living history of the Vale. After a blessing by deacon Tiago Orbach, each producer served wine from their own barrel. A fireworks show followed, and the party continued until 11 PM with live music for all ages.
“We celebrate the end of another harvest — the cycle of work in the fields, of waiting and choices that now become wine. And it is in this context of maturity that the Vale also renews itself.” — André Larentis, Aprovale president
Sunday Walk: The Intimate Side of the Vale
On Sunday, March 29, more than 200 participants joined the Vivendo o Vale Cultural Walk, an invitation to connect with the landscape and collective memory. Along secondary roads little known even to regular visitors, the route uncovered stone houses, quiet vineyards, and stories told by those who live there. Starting at the Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Neves, the trail wound through Giordani Gastronomia Cultural, Casarão Longhi, Pizzato Vinhas e Vinhos, and the Vale dos Vinhedos Historical Museum at Famiglia Tasca.
Despite 32°C heat, every two kilometers brought a pause: water, juice, wine, sparkling wine, food, and above all, stories. Six stops transformed a physical trail into an emotional journey — and the perfect closing act for a festival that was born as a landmark of Brazilian wine tourism.
Event Info
- Event: 1st Festival Vale dos Vinhedos
- Organizer: Aprovale – Association of Fine Wine Producers of Vale dos Vinhedos
- Dates: March 27, 28, and 29, 2026
- Venues: Hotel Villa Michelon (Friday) | Historic Center of Vale dos Vinhedos – Linha 6 da Leopoldina (Saturday) | Route from Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Neves (Sunday)
- Total audience: Approximately 8,000 people
- More info: www.festivalvaledosvinhedos.com.br
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