There are terroirs – wine production areas – in Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and the Northeastern States, but it is in Serra Gaúcha that 90% of the beverage’s production is concentrated. The reason? The grapes most suitable for wine need low temperatures, like those found in the southern region of Brazil, to develop better.
To prove the quality of local production and also to experience a Brazil different from the clichés of beach and jungle, visiting the municipalities of Caxias do Sul and Bento Gonçalves, in Rio Grande do Sul, 
is a great choice.
The region offers visitors a rich cultural and historical legacy left by the Italian immigrants who arrived in Brazil in the 19th century: the churches and chapels built there, the devotion to saints, the accent, and, mainly, the cultivation of vineyards and the production of wine according to techniques brought from Italy.
In Serra Gaúcha, you can visit dozens of wineries, both family-owned (with modest production) and large ones (with dozens of different labels). You can also taste the delicious local cuisine, featuring many pasta dishes and cheeses.
Vale dos Vinhedos
Bento Gonçalves is a small town with 100,000 inhabitants and is the starting point for a visit to the famous Vale dos Vinhedos. It is located 120 km from Porto Alegre, about a 2-hour drive. To make the most of the trip, it is ideal to arrive in the city the day before and stay overnight in one of its comfortable hotels.
The next day, wake up early, have a good breakfast, and prepare to explore the dozens of wineries in the region. Almost all offer tastings of their wines and products. Some charge an entry fee, but the amount paid can be converted into credit for purchases in their stores.
If you still have time and energy, visit the Casa do Vinho, in the city center.
Maria Fumaça Tour
Have you ever seen a steam locomotive up close? Have you dreamed of riding one? In Brazil, it is possible to do this on a tour of the old 
railway and the culture of the region.
The locomotive departs from Bento Gonçalves and travels 23 km, during which you can enjoy theater performances, choirs, and lots of music from Italy and Rio Grande do Sul. Arrive early at the station so you don’t miss the first tasting, featuring wines produced in the city. The locomotive stops in Garibaldi, where more music and the second tasting of the day, this time sparkling wine and grape juice, await tourists. Then, it continues to Carlos Barbosa, from where it returns to Bento Gonçalves.
Since the entire journey takes only a few hours, you can do it in the morning and, in the afternoon, visit the Cascata Salto Ventoso, in Farroupilha, a true paradise that has served as a backdrop for several films and series.
Good to know: some tourism companies offer the Maria Fumaça tour along with a visit to the Epopeia Italiana Theme Park, where the story of the 
immigrants who came from Italy to Brazil is staged.
Wine Production
Caxias do Sul is famous for the Festa da Uva, which every two years celebrates Italian culture and immigration and wine production in the region. However, if you are not lucky enough to be there when the festival takes place, don’t worry: the city is not only about the event; there is much to do.
The fun begins on the way, along the Estrada dos Imigrantes, a highway that began to be built by Dom Pedro II in the 1870s. Along the route, there are several stops with beautiful landscapes, caves, churches, restaurants, and museums.
Upon arrival, you can take one of the various tours offered, such as the Circuito Ana Rech, which includes a visit to a typical village built by immigrants; the Circuito Caminhos da Colônia, which passes through landscapes and vineyards of Caxias do Sul and Flores da Cunha; or the Circuito Vale Trentino, where you can learn about the history of wine production in the city and taste grapes and their derivatives at the Municipal Museum of Grape and Wine Primo Slomp.
At night, be sure to visit the delicious restaurants and their typical delights, which are great for warming up from the cold, such as pasta, soups, and local desserts – which taste even better accompanied by some of the best wines produced in the country.
Source: VisitBrasil.com