Festival weekend planner
Vindima (Grape Harvest Festival) — a 3-day weekend in Vale dos Vinhedos
24 January – 15 March 2026. Bento Gonçalves, Brazil. 35 min from the airport.
The weekend, day by day
- Day 1
Arrive in Bento Gonçalves
Land at Salgado Filho International Airport (POA), settle in and walk the old town in the afternoon. Light dinner near your accommodation — save your appetite for the festival day.
- Day 2
Vindima (Grape Harvest Festival)
Festival day — arrive early to avoid the lunchtime crowd. Insider tip: Skip the main festival crowds and book a private harvest lunch at Casa Valduga or Don Laurindo's vineyards for a Tuesday—you'll get winemaker access without tourist masses. The Vale dos Vinhedos' Sparkling whites (not reds) are what competitors are actually excited about; seek out the 'Espumante' producers like Miolo.
- Day 3
Wine country day in Vale dos Vinhedos
Use the third day for a single winery visit (booked ahead) and a long lunch at one of the regional addresses below before heading home.
Where to stay
Three angles for the festival window. Festival hotels book out 6+ months in advance — apartments are the contingency when the main shortlist is sold out.
- Hotels in Bento Gonçalves
Live inventory around the festival window — 2 adults, all star ratings.
- 4–5 star options near Bento Gonçalves
Higher-end shortlist when you want the milestone weekend treatment.
- Apartments in Bento Gonçalves
Self-catering option — useful when festival hotels sell out 6+ months ahead.
Booking.com links — we may earn a commission. We never recommend hotels we wouldn't use ourselves.
One winery worth a detour
Casa Valduga
A fifth-generation family winery that helped establish Brazil's first DOC — the underdog sparkling wine story that serious fizz lovers should know.
- Address
- RS-444, Km 21, Vale dos Vinhedos, Bento Gonçalves, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Appointment
- walk-in
- Tasting price
- BRL 80 · Tasting of 4 wines
- Website
- Visit
Where to eat
Cantina do Vale
R$$Family-run cantina in Bento Gonçalves serving traditional Italian-Brazilian recipes passed down four generations
Must try: Polenta com frango (polenta with chicken)
More dining picks in Vale dos Vinhedos →Practical
- Nearest airport
- Salgado Filho International Airport (POA)
- Mid-range daily budget
- ~€90/day for two
- Festival site
- Visit official site
Insider tip
Skip the main festival crowds and book a private harvest lunch at Casa Valduga or Don Laurindo's vineyards for a Tuesday—you'll get winemaker access without tourist masses. The Vale dos Vinhedos' Sparkling whites (not reds) are what competitors are actually excited about; seek out the 'Espumante' producers like Miolo.
Want a longer trip than the festival weekend?
The milestone-trip planner builds a 3–10 day Vale dos Vinhedos itinerary with accommodation, tours, and pacing options.
Plan a Vale dos Vinhedos trip →