The production of fine wines is expanding in the Campo das Vertentes region, in Minas Gerais. The activity, made possible by the adoption of the double vine pruning technique, validated and disseminated by the Agricultural Research Company of Minas Gerais (Epamig), has enabled the harvest of fine quality grapes in different regions of the country. And the state's wine growing scene is rapidly changing, which already has more than a hundred wine growers and a planted area of around 1000 hectares.
“We have observed an increase in production in several municipalities in Campo das Vertentes, with some producers already vinifying in Tiradentes and Ritapólis, for example”, says researcher Paulo Márcio Norberto, who works at Epamig’s Campo Experimental Risoleta Neves, in São João del -King.
At the Unit, where previously there were only experiments with table grapes, there is a collection of six varieties of fine red and white grapes. “Syrah is the flagship, the most vigorous, the one that has best adapted to double pruned areas and the one that attracts the greatest number of interested parties”, says the researcher, who adds: “We have received visitors seeking guidance for start the activity. It is a crucial moment when we talk about investment and cultural treatments. It is worth mentioning that the vine requires different care and applications throughout the cycle, and that, although there may be clusters present in the first year, the average time for the plant to form is three to four years.”
Business administrator Fernando Antônio Carvalho was one of those who approached Epamig before establishing the vineyard. A resident of Belo Horizonte, he became acquainted with fine wines from Minas Gerais as a consumer. “In 2019, I went with my wife to a Portuguese restaurant close to our house. I asked for a Chilean wine to accompany the dish and the owner suggested I exchange it for a sample from Minas Gerais. I was surprised: 'wine produced in Minas Gerais? – 'Yes and of excellent quality'. I tried it and approved. I tried to find out more and found out about Epamig’s work and double pruning.”
With the pandemic came the new project. “In 2020, with social isolation, we chose to buy a two-hectare area in Entre Rios de Minas, with the intention of planting fine grapes. In 2021, I looked for the Epamig Unit in the region, which is located in São João del-Rei, and met Paulo Norberto, who guided me in structuring the area and acquiring seedlings, in addition to introducing me to the Epamig team in Caldas” .
“We planted 600 seedlings of Syrah grapes purchased from Epamig. Despite all the preparation, we had difficulties and needed to replant some seedlings in the first year. In 2023, we harvested the first 80 kg of grapes and, my wife and I, produced 50 bottles of wine. The drink, which we offered to some friends, was quite pleasant. We will do the same process with the grapes harvested this year”, adds Fernando.
From 2025, winemaking will be done at Epamig in Caldas. “Being welcomed by Epamig will help us evolve both in structure and processes,” he says. The producer plans to expand the vineyard and bring Quinta Dois Carvalhos wines to the market. “For next year, we intend to increase the planted area and include new varieties. Our vineyard occupies only 1500 meters of the property, we have room to grow. We will also invest in the presentation of our product.”
Fernando is part of the recently created Association of Grape and Wine Producers of Minas Gerais (Uva-MG). “The objective of the Association is to offer possibilities for producers of different sizes. Join efforts and promote the wine production chain so that everyone can grow.”
The Government of Minas announced, at the beginning of this week, its intention to structure the Wine Route to promote wine tourism in eight producing regions in the State. The Campo das Vertentes region is a traditional tourist hub, bringing together historical, natural and cultural attractions. The production of fine wines tends to be another differentiator. “We don’t need to attract tourists to our region, but we can add something more”, says Dénis Gualberto de Paula, owner of Vinícola Gervásio Pereira, in Resende Costa.
The producer, who is a neurologist, says that his interest in the activity began as a teenager when his grandfather gave him a collection of letters from a family ancestor. “I discovered that my great-great-grandfather Gervásio Pereira, son of Portuguese parents, produced and sold wines here in the municipality. I have no information about the type and quality of these wines, but I was fascinated by the subject,” he recalls.
When he was studying in São Paulo, Dénis Gualberto discovered double pruning. “I wanted to return to my city and I saw an opportunity to combine a hobby with something that could be profitable. I started looking for seedlings in 2019, but it was only in 2022 that I acquired the first specimens of the Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc varieties. I planted half of the 1 (one) hectare area and in September I will plant the other half”, he informs.
Dénis Gualberto projects the first harvest and processing of grapes for 2025. “I hope to vinify the first harvest, in the winery that I will establish here on my property. I sought support from Epamig to learn more about the double pruning methodology and winemaking, and obtained architectural support from Emater-MG here in the municipality to prepare the building's plan”, he says, who is a sommelier, trained by the Associação Brasileira of Sommeliers in Rio Grande do Sul, and studies oenology.
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