Vinícola Brasília brings together 10 vineyards in a space that is part of the DF Grape Route
“The geographic altitude, which brings more solar radiation, and the thermal amplitude, a magnificent characteristic of a predictable period without rain, in addition to available water, are responsible for the terroir of the cerrado, which combines nature and land with the enormous capacity of people, which has very strong connection with agriculture, in a happy combination of the excellence that is inside the bottles”. This is what Rio Grande do Sul winemaker Marcos Vian, author of local wines, said during the inauguration of Vinícola Brasília, opened last weekend, as part of the city’s 64th anniversary celebrations.
The event was attended by governor Ibaneis Rocha, who took advantage of the event held at PAD-DF, 55 kilometers from the bus station, to launch the Brasília Grape Route, which according to him, “will be another hub for job creation and income, with the promotion of the production chain around the fruit”. The route, similar to what exists around the world in wine-growing regions such as France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, California and others, brings together seven projects located not only along the Brasília-Unaí highway, but also in Lago Norte and Sobradinho. For the Government Secretary, José Humberto de Araújo, “the city needed more alternatives for tourists to have the opportunity to get to know the agribusiness area, where wine tourism is growing a lot”.
Arches, glass and concrete
The sunflower bed, during the flowering season, and the construction of the imposing building next to the entrance to AgroBrasília have always caught the attention of those passing by BR 251. After some delay, it is ready and even has a garden and vineyards in front. The work is designed by two architectural offices in the city: Lazzeri Arquitetos and Studio Az Projetos, by Julia Amorim and Renata Melendez, who with her husband Rodrigo, are co-owners of Ercoara.
“As it is the first winery in the city, it was important that the space had local identity and was a landmark in this new stage of the region”, explains the paper signed by those responsible for the architecture, completely inspired by the capital’s modernism. Straight lines, exposed concrete, cobogós and water mirrors are striking elements present in the building, which included local labor. The tiles, for example, were manufactured by Cubo Azulejaria, from Brasília. The brick arches are another reference to the Italian origins of the first farmers.
The structure, which also has a store for selling wine, can be allocated for parties and events. To this end, four days before the inauguration, Artur Farias took on the role of commercial manager, responsible for operating the space open to the public.
Half a dozen labels
Even before the speeches, there was a technical tasting of the wines evaluated by experts who met in the cellar, located in the basement of the building, where the barrels are located. It started with the excellent Sauvignon Blanc Cobogó with good acidity and fruit aromas, such as passion fruit and guava, with a touch of citrus, ideal for the hot climate of the cerrado, followed by the Pilotis rosé, made from Sirah and Tempranillo.
Three reds followed: Malbec Syrah Croqui, Malbec Alvorada and Syrah Alvorada. Finally, Monumental Syrah, which was presented among the 16 most representative samples in the 2023 National Wine Assessment, held in Bento Gonçalves. It was the first time in the competition’s history that a winter wine (classification that refers to the double pruning or inverted cycle production system) gained prominence in the select list.
All labels are designed by Brazilian architect and designer Raffa Inneco, inspired by local icons, such as cobogó, pilotis and Eixo Monumental. The estimate is to produce around 300 thousand bottles per year.
Owners’ euphoria
Tears and a lot of emotion could not be contained in the celebration of the work, the result of the pioneering spirit, work and passion of winemakers who transformed the region’s soil into stunning vines, a symbol of the production of a living, biblical and uplifting liquid. Identified by an elegant white hat, men and women personally served wines to visitors representing the 10 vineyards: Casa Vitor, Ercoara, Horus, Marchese, Miro, Monte Alvor, Oma Sena, Alto Cerrado, Villa Triacca and Vista da Mata.
The dream and willingness of these producers to revolutionize Brazilian wine in a new region with science and technology result from the work and determination of their ancestors, who almost half a century ago were called upon by the administration of the time to carry out the ambitious targeted settlement program. Southern farmers, most of Italian descent, made PAD-DF a huge success.
