The ten-year-old mangalarga mare Efigênia has probably already gone through the greatest adventure of her life: a 4,000-kilometer crossing in a delegation from Andradas (MG) to the São Francisco River. Today, the animal with shiny brown fur is one of those that transport visitors on the new Guaspari wine tourism itinerary, in Espírito Santo do Pinhal, 190 kilometers from the capital.
Known for its competence in the technique of double pruning – when the vine cycle is altered so that the harvest takes place in the winter, when there is little rain in Serra da Mantiqueira –, the award-winning winery was the first in the country to feature on the cover of the respected English magazine Decanter, in October of last year.
Guaspari’s first commercial labels were launched in 2014 and, today, the brand also stands out for its wine tourism on the beautiful property, an old coffee farm from the 19th century, restored to receive visitors.
In 2019, there were 5,500 people, a considerable number for the gender in Serra da Mantiqueira, but much smaller than that of the giants in Serra Gaúcha (Miolo, for example, receives 200,000 people a year).
Due to the pandemic, visits to Guaspari were only resumed in April of this year. And it was in October that the winery launched the Guaspari Horseback Ride, which covers part of the 50 hectares of vineyards in about two and a half hours.
The itinerary, for groups of five to eight visitors at R$ 690 per person, takes place on Thursdays and ends with a tasting of three labels.
During the report’s visit, in mid-October, Vista do Bosque Viognier, Vista do Lago Chardonnay and Vista da Serra Syrah were served, all 2018 vintage – the syrah grape is the star of the vineyard, with some vintages awarded abroad. , case of Guaspari Syrah Vista do Chá 2012, gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2016.
Like Efigênia, the mangalargas Lady, Cloud, Indiana and Duquesa live in Rancho Bela Vista, in neighboring Andradas, a partner of Guaspari. The owner, Luís Opice, is the former president of the Brazilian Association of Mangalarga Horse Breeders and has been raising horses for over 20 years.
Originally from Brazil, the breed results from the crossing of examples of the Portuguese alter real, brought by the Portuguese court in the early 19th century, with mares from the Campo Alegre Farm, in the current municipality of Cruzília (MG) – who tells this story is Opice himself .
“In addition to the aesthetic elegance, it is a docile breed and easy to mount for beginners”, he says. He or the ranch staff walks you along and teaches you basic commands.
At first, animals can appear restless to those who aren’t used to it. “It’s the desire to start riding,” says Opice. As soon as the ride begins, the taming and calm temperament of the horses is evident. The use of a hat or cap, sunscreen and comfortable clothing is highly recommended.
A breakfast precedes the horse ride, with espresso made from Acaia, Mundo Novo and Red Catuaí varieties grown on the farm – the Guaspari terroir also serves to plant olive trees, which have already started to produce oil.
The horses travel through two exclusive areas that are not visited on the walking routes: the Vista da Vinícola and Vista da Araucária vineyards, with beautiful scenery. The explanations about the cultivation and the tour through the industry and the cellar, with oak barrels produced and signed by French casks, are provided by well-trained professionals, many of them residents of the city.
One of them is Adriano de Paulo, 26, who has been with Guaspari for six years. “I started working in the vineyard and, over time, the company gave me an opportunity. I also worked in the industry before moving into the commercial and wine tourism area,” he says.
Touring vineyards on horseback is incipient in Brazil and even in traditional producing regions around the world. Luiz Porto Vinhos Finos from Minas Gerais even promoted tours in the Cordislândia vineyard, but is moving to Tiradentes with no forecast of resuming visits with horses.
In the Maipo Valley, 30 kilometers from Santiago, Chile, the Norwegian family winery Odfjell breeds fjord ponies and organizes tours with the animals.
Of Siberian origin and considered one of the purest and most ancient breeds in the world, horses would have kept a black band on the tip of their white mane since the last Ice Age, 20 thousand years ago.
The first horses arrived at the winery in 1987. Today, the 26 horses actively contribute to production, which is organic and biodynamic, through weed control, aeration of the soil when they ride, organic fertilization and the transport of grapes.
In recent years, they have also been transporting visitors on vineyard tours that end with tasting (they must be resumed in the summer).
In the Old World, the Portuguese company Fiuza & Bright has an itinerary that includes a visit to the winery, painted by local artists, in Almeirim, 100 kilometers from Lisbon. The package includes lunch with tasting of two labels and a horseback ride on a closed circuit outside the vineyard.
Guaspari Winery
R. Pedro Ferrari, 300 (Parque do Lago)
Espírito Santo do Pinhal (SP)
E-commerce: https://loja.vinicolaguaspari.com.br/
Reservations: [email protected], (19) 3661-9190
Odfjell
Site: www.odfjellvineyards.cl
Reservations: [email protected]
Fiuza & Bright
Site: https://www.fiuzabrightpt.com/
Reservations: [email protected]
The reporter traveled at the invitation of the Guaspari Winery.
.
