January 30, 2024 - 0 comments
In the beautiful Serra Gaucha region of Brazil, Valparaiso Vinhos e Vinhedos is rewriting the narrative of Brazilian winemaking, embracing a philosophy rooted in sustainability, minimal intervention, and respect for nature.
Arnaldo Argenta, the fourth-generation winegrower and an Agricultural Engineer, inherited a passion for winemaking from his family, who for generations had made wine without additives for their own consumption. His dream of cultivating grapes with minimal intervention came to fruition in 2014 when he acquired the property that would become Valparaiso, and the first harvest took place in 2018.
Naiana Argenta, Arnaldo's daughter, joined the venture in 2020, bringing Valparaiso's wines to the market. The winery's commitment to natural winemaking includes eschewing oenological inputs, adding only a low dose of sulfite before bottling, and avoiding filtration and clarification.
Valparaiso tackles the challenges posed by excessive humidity in the region with innovative practices, such as special protection covering over the vines developed by Arnaldo. This unique system minimizes the need for agrochemicals, reflecting the vineyard's commitment to natural winemaking.
In Brazil, the natural wine movement gained momentum with events like Naturebas, a dedicated wine fair that began in 2012 and has been growing ever since. Despite bureaucratic hurdles, small producers in the South of Brazil are making their mark and beginning to bring their unique wines to larger urban centers.
In Europe, Valparaiso Vinhos e Vinhedos will be showcasing their wines at the Slow Wine fair in Bologna, Italy, from February 25th to 27th. Don’t miss the chance to taste these special wines from Brazil's emerging natural wine scene!
