The 10 Best Free Things to do in Serra Gaucha, State of Rio Grande do Sul (RS)

Vale dos Vinhedos, named after the valleys covered with vineyards and scenic landscapes featuring different shades in each of the four seasons, Vale dos Vinhedos enchants by the hospitality of the local residents combined with the high quality of the tourism technology and infrastructure offered. Along this lovely route, you can visit small farms, family and internationally renowned wineries, hotels, restaurants, art studios, store selling cheese, gourmet and homemade jams and confectionary.Vale dos Vinhedos wines are the only in Brazil to hold the Designation of Origin (DO).

AURORA’s story began in 1875 with the settling of Northern Italian immigrants in Brazil. Arriving in the Serra Gaucha in the south of Brazil, they found beautiful mountainous landscapes and a climate similar to that of their home country. Recalling their European culture and habits, the immigrants quickly resumed the ancient art of winemaking. On February 14, 1931, sixteen grape growing families from the city of Bento Goncalves in the Serra Gaucha joined forces to launch the groundbreaking venture that was to become the largest of its kind in Brazil: THE AURORA COOPERATIVE WINERY. Within a single year, the winery’s collective production amounted to 137,000 kg worth of grapes, laying the groundwork for a company destined to become not only the largest, but also one of the most technologically advanced wineries in Brazil. Today, the Aurora Winery lies in the heart of Bento Goncalves and is still the largest winery in Brazil. More than 1,100 families have joined the cooperative, in which production is supervised by technicians who maintain daily contact with individual families and assist them whenever necessary. The technical team, striving always to develop cutting-edge technology, is responsible for continually monitoring the industrial process as well as the quality of the winery’s final products. Aurora winery has maintained its privileged status for over two decades thanks to the company’s consistent modernisation of its production plant, the innovative technology of its units and the strict standards enforced throughout the production process. The extreme care taken during production, from planting the seedlings to bottling the product, is an essential ingredient in the recipe for the continued growth that Aurora has enjoyed throughout the years.