São Paulo is becoming a wine route and attracting more and more visitors

Wine tourism in São Paulo is growing year on year, with a 27% increase in the number of visitors. The São Paulo Wine Routes Project has mapped out five different routes, each with its own climate, landscape and brands that have already won competitions such as the Decanter World Wine Awards and the Brussels World Competition.

Wine production in São Paulo is experiencing its best moment. Far from the traffic and concrete, there are vineyards, mountains, long lunches with artisanal cheese, and, most importantly, wine production that has grown a lot in the past two decades.

The rotadovinho.sp.gov.br website collects all the information: timetables, experiences offered and an interactive map to create your own itinerary.

The story began in 1532 (but the mutation is recent)

The first vineyard in Brazil was planted in São Paulo in 1532 by Bras Cubas. Nearly 500 years later, the state is attracting interest again, but this time with real wine. Italian immigration, especially in Jundia and São Roque, brought families who began producing table wine, the kind of unlabeled bottle that appears at Sunday lunches.

The jump in quality came in the last two decades. Producers have invested in technology, research, and primarily in understanding and mapping the climate in different regions of the state. Because producing fine wine in a tropical region is not the simplest task: the rains are heavy in summer, and it is very hot all year round. That’s when a very Brazilian solution to this problem appeared.

The double pruning trick that changed everything

The secret to São Paulo wine has a technical name: double pruning. It sounds like something for an agronomist, but it’s easy to understand and that’s what makes the difference in the cup.

Typically, the vine buds in the spring and the grapes are harvested in the summer. Here, they reversed the cycle. The first pruning is done in summer and the second in winter. As a result, grapes ripen specifically in the dry, cooler months of the year, between June and August when the nights are cooler, the days are sunny and there is little chance of rain. During this period the grapes gain color, concentrate flavor and maintain acidity (that freshness that makes a difference when drinking wine).

That’s why São Paulo brands are starting to win medals abroad. The “winter wine”, as it is called, has a quality that has attracted the attention of international sommeliers and critics.

Five methods, each with its own flavour

The Wine Routes project has organized everything into five routes: Circuito das Frutas, Bandeirantes, Alto Mogiana, Alto da Mantiqueira, and Serra dos Encontros. Each one has its own personality.

Fruit Circuit and Bandeirantes Road

It’s the closest to the capital, and perfect for a hassle-free weekend getaway. Jundiai, Itatiba and São Roque are places where you can go and back in the same day, if you want. Here you’ll find everything from large wineries, with full facilities to accommodate groups, to small family wineries, where the owner still displays production and tells the story of his Italian ancestors.

The environment is more colonial and more rural. There is an estate that produces fruits, vegetables and wine on the same land. It is common to abandon tasting and buy jam, honey and other delicacies in season.

Discover the fruit fenugreek

Discover the Bandeirantes route

Alto da Mantiqueira and Serra dos Encontros

Height changes everything. On these mountain roads, the air is fresher, and the landscape is more dramatic: there is a valley, there is a view, there is a feeling of being away from it all. Mountain terroir makes the wine more elegant and the acidity more present.

It is intended for those who want to combine taste and visuals. There is a winery overlooking Mantiqueira that is worth a visit just for the scenery.

Discover the Alto da Mantiqueira route

Discover the Serra dos Encontros route

The Alto Mogiana area is the bet for the future. Young growers test what works in each part of the interior, adapting double pruning to local microclimates. If you want to discover wineries before everyone else goes, this is the place.

Wine, cheese, lunch and hospitality

Wine tourism in São Paulo is not just about tasting wine and leaving. The wineries offer complete experiences: a visit to the vineyards at harvest time, a production tour, a wine blending workshop, and even lunch on the property.

And one thing makes a difference: integration with other regional producers. Wine routes are linked to projects such as Sabor de SP and Cheese Routes. In practical terms, this means you can pair São Paulo wines with cheeses handcrafted there, with grilled meats from producers in the region, with whatever is grown and harvested on that farm. It’s a whole series that works.

There is a winery that serves “farm-to-table” lunch (a concept that has become very popular abroad as “farm-to-table”). The salad is from the garden, the cheese is from the neighbors, and the wine is from there.

The tone is welcoming. There is an option for couples who want a romantic weekend getaway, for groups of friends looking to celebrate something memorable, and for families who want a different trip. These are spaces where everyone feels welcome, whether they know a lot or a little about the drink.

Each winery has different hours of operation and visiting options. There are places that offer just simple tastings, there are places that offer curated dinners, and there are places that offer classes. The interactive map is on rotadovinho.sp.gov.br: what each property offers, how to book, and what to see in the area.

You can create an itinerary for one day or extend it over the weekend or over a long vacation, depending on the route. The Circuito das Frutas and Rota Bandeirantes are the most practical for day trips. Mountain roads require more time, especially since the road is already part of the tour.

The important thing is to take your time. Because the grace is precisely in slowing down, tasting quietly, getting to know who produces it, and understanding the history of that place. São Paulo has just such a surprise in store: award-winning wineries, beautiful landscapes, and warm hospitality that makes you want to come back.

Learn more about São Paulo’s wine routes, visit Visitaopaulo.com.