An International Story
by Julia Elen
It was a sunny Tuesday morning when we from The Coast Press arrived in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo.
The air was warm, the hills rolled softly on the horizon, and among them we found Vinícola Terras Altas — a hidden gem quietly reshaping Brazil’s wine map. From the moment we stepped onto the property, it felt like we had stumbled upon something truly special. The vineyard stretched out before us like a living tapestry — neat rows of vines catching the morning light, framed by distant ridges and the occasional bird swooping low over the fields.
Founded in 2016 by a family deeply passionate about viticulture, Terras Altas focuses on small-scale, high-quality production. The warmer climate of Ribeirão Preto brings unique challenges, but also rewards: expressive wines with generous fruit, balanced structure, and a personality that’s undeniably their own. Terras Altas is a relatively new but rapidly rising winery based in Ribeirão Preto, in the state of São Paulo. It operates out of Bonfim Paulista (a district of Ribeirão Preto).
Tucked away at Fazenda Vale Encantado, this boutique winery blends passion, altitude, and innovation to craft elegant wines from the unlikeliest of terroirs. At 750m above sea level, the vineyards enjoy cool nights, sunny days, and rich basaltic soils. Using the dupla poda (double pruning) method, they harvest in winter — when the grapes reach peak quality.
This bold approach has already earned them international recognition at the Decanter World Wine Awards and the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles.
Entre Rios: Rich and Refined
During our visit, we tasted Entre Rios, a 100% Syrah that immediately stood out.
It has all the structure and personality you expect from Syrah, but with a surprising balance and elegance shaped by the unique climate of Ribeirão Preto.
Tasting Highlights
- Deep ruby color and aromas of ripe black cherry and plum
- Subtle hints of cocoa, warm spice, and toasted oak
- Silky tannins and a long, harmonious finish
It’s the kind of wine that makes you slow down and pay attention; complex yet beautifully approachable.
Challenges & Positioning
Because it’s a newer winery in a region not historically known for many high-end viníferas, Terras Altas faces some challenges but also possesses strengths:
- The climate near Ribeirão Preto is not as classically “wine country” in Brazil (compared, say, to regions in Rio Grande do Sul or the highlands). But techniques like dupla poda, careful site selection (altitude, slope, soil) are helping mitigate climatic issues.
- Their production scale is still modest (e.g. some tens of thousands of bottles per year), which allows more control but makes scaling up more complex.
- They position themselves in the premium end: quality, terroir expression, awards, gourmet restaurant and wine tourism, etc. This implies higher costs and more exacting consumer expectations.
Redefining Brazilian Wine
Terras Altas is proof that passion can transcend geography. With every bottle, they invite wine lovers to experience a new side of Brazil: vibrant, refined, and full of promise.
And we couldn’t have experienced that spirit without Paulo Vitor, who warmly welcomed us, walked us through every step of their process, and shared their story from vine to glass.
It was more than just a visit. It was an inspiring glimpse into the future of Brazilian wine.
For conclusion; Terras Altas is a startup winery (in wine terms) that is already making waves. It combines good terroir, innovative viticulture (especially dupla poda), attention to quality, and a strong sense of place. Its success so far suggests it could become one of the noteworthy producers in Brazil’s interior, helping to diversify the image of Brazilian wine beyond its traditional strongholds.
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