Festa do Vinho 2006 in Catas Altas, MG

6th Festa do Vinho

On May 19, 20 and 21, 2006, the town of Catas Altas, at the foot of the Serra do Caraça, held the 6th edition of the Festa do Vinho (Wine Festival), one of the most traditional and representative events of local culture.

Held at Praça Monsenhor Mendes, the festival kept its essence: bringing together music, art, tradition and artisanal jabuticaba wine, the town's intangible heritage and a symbol of Catas Altas identity.

Organized by the Catas Altas town council in partnership with Aprovart (Association of Wine Producers and Family Farmers), rural unions and cultural organizations, the 2006 edition established the event as one of the main regional celebrations in Minas Gerais.

Tradition and Community United by Culture

The 2006 Festa do Vinho followed the traditional format that, since 2001, has combined the starring role of artisanal wine with the celebration of local culture and talent.

For three days, Praça Monsenhor Mendes became a great community meeting point, with stalls, performances and open-air cultural activities.

The main goal of the event remained unchanged: to value artisanal jabuticaba wine and strengthen cultural ties between producers and the public, bringing countryside and town together.

Each edition brought improvements in facilities and organization. In 2006, lighting, sound and the social area were expanded, offering more comfort to visitors and reinforcing the image of Catas Altas as a tourist and cultural destination in the Serra do Caraça.

Music and Culture

The artistic program of the 6th Festa do Vinho was marked by diversity and the presence of prominent names in national and regional music.

The main highlight was singer-songwriter Zé Geraldo, an icon of Brazilian popular music, who moved the audience with his classics and lyrics blending poetry, freedom and Minas Gerais identity.

The event also featured MPB performances by local groups, who entertained the public with varied repertoires and covers of established artists, strengthening the place of regional music in the festival program.

Another new feature was circus shows, which brought fun and entertainment to children and families, reinforcing the cultural and inclusive character of the event.

One of the most praised initiatives of this edition was the Circuito Poético (Poetry Circuit), organized by the Catas Altas Culture Department and coordinated by Éder Ayres Siqueira. The project featured literary presentations and poetry performances, celebrating local art and talent in an innovative and engaging format.

These attractions showed the maturity of the Festa do Vinho as a multicultural event, able to bring together different forms of artistic expression without losing touch with its roots.

Best Jabuticaba Wine Contest

The traditional Best Jabuticaba Wine Contest remained one of the high points of the festival, awarding producers whose wines stood out for quality and originality.

The event reinforced Aprovart's role in promoting artisanal production and preserving knowledge passed down through generations. With each edition the contest gained visibility and importance, encouraging excellence and recognition of jabuticaba wine as a symbol of the cultural identity of Catas Altas.

More than a competition, the contest celebrated the collective work of the families who keep alive the tradition and authenticity of the drink that gives the festival its name.

Organization and Local Partnerships

The Catas Altas town council, Aprovart, rural unions and local cultural organizations worked together to make the 2006 edition a success.

The event saw significant improvements in infrastructure — including benches, portable toilets, additional lighting and tourist signage — making the visitor experience more pleasant and safe.

Community involvement was essential. Producers, artists, volunteers and local merchants took an active part in organizing the event and welcoming visitors, showing the collaborative spirit that has always defined the festival.

Although there are no official attendance records, it is estimated that thousands of people took part, confirming the growing prestige of the Festa do Vinho both inside and outside the town.

Legacy of the 6th Edition

The 2006 Festa do Vinho reaffirmed the role of Catas Altas as a cultural reference in the Serra do Caraça and a guardian of one of the most genuine traditions in Minas Gerais.

With Zé Geraldo as the headliner, a variety of artistic performances and the innovative Circuito Poético, the edition brought together music, art and literature, broadening the event's cultural reach.

Once again, artisanal jabuticaba wine was the great link between past and present — a symbol of the identity, unity and pride of the people of Catas Altas.

From this edition on, the Festa do Vinho came to be recognized not only as a wine celebration but as a festival of culture and art, able to turn tradition into movement and history into inspiration.