Festa do Vinho 2019 in Catas Altas, MG
19th Festa do Vinho
In May 2019, Catas Altas once again hosted one of the best-loved celebrations in Minas Gerais: the 19th Festa do Vinho (Wine Festival). Held from May 17 to 19 at Praça Monsenhor Mendes, in the town's historic center, this edition highlighted the tradition, flavor and culinary potential of jabuticaba wine, a symbol and cultural heritage of the town.
With a theme focused on Catas Altas wine, the festival offered a program full of music, theater and food, as well as workshops and the launch of the "Harmonize com Jabuticaba" (Pair with Jabuticaba) program, which combined tourism, culture and food in a unique experience.
Tradition, Culture and Minas Gerais Food
The 2019 edition reinforced the role of the Festa do Vinho as one of the state's main cultural events. The aim was to give more prominence to the artisanal wine made for more than a century in Catas Altas and bring producers, merchants and visitors together.
Over the three days, the public enjoyed an experience combining flavors, sounds and traditions, turning the historic center into a true stage for celebrating local culture. The streets filled with color, aromas and music, as residents and tourists enjoyed a varied program honoring the town's winemaking heritage.
The welcoming atmosphere typical of Minas Gerais towns was complemented by organized facilities focused on the creative economy, with local restaurants, exhibitors and artists.
Launching the "Harmonize com Jabuticaba" Program
One of the milestones of the 19th Festa do Vinho was the official launch of the "Harmonize com Jabuticaba" program, which aimed to encourage food tourism and the responsible enjoyment of wines made in the town.
The project proposed a new way to experience jabuticaba wine: pairing it with traditional dishes, desserts and original recipes created especially for the event. This integration of wine and cuisine strengthened the position of Catas Altas as a reference destination for artisanal wine tourism.
Besides promoting local wine, the program also helped generate income and visibility for small producers, showing that tradition and innovation can go together when the goal is to value a community's cultural identity.
Music and Arts Program
The 2019 program was marked by a diversity of acts, combining big names in music with local talent. On Friday (May 17), the festival began with performances by the Orquestra SESIMinas, Trio Baticum and Tupette e Banda, after the official opening and the traditional presentation of the Wine Princess.
Saturday (May 18) had a busy schedule, highlighted by the Festim with Chef Milsane Sebastião at Bistrô Canto da Serra and SENAC workshops covering olive oils, cheeses, wines and Minas Gerais fermented drinks. The music came from Camila Calais, Eliseu Gomes e Grupo, Tupiniquim Power Trio, Big Band FUNCEC, Lili Band and Gleison Túlio, who closed the night in high spirits.
On Sunday (May 19), there were cultural activities and performances for the whole family, such as the Cortejo Brumal e seus Encantos procession, the show João e Maria nas Trilhas da Cavalhada and the group Catas Reggae. Banda Nous (Daniel Dejero e Trio) closed the festival after the eagerly awaited Best Wines Awards.
Workshops and Food Experiences
Food was one of the festival's highlights, with workshops, tastings and sensory experiences that connected the public to the world of jabuticaba wine. SENAC Minas was a strategic partner, running themed workshops on pairing fermented drinks, international trends and dishes created specially for the event.
Visitors could taste delicacies made with typical Minas Gerais ingredients and learn more about how artisanal wines and foods are produced. This educational program reinforced the aim of turning culinary knowledge into opportunities for tourism and local development.
The learning atmosphere, combined with good music and residents' hospitality, made the 2019 Festa do Vinho a complete and unforgettable experience.
Awards and Closing of the 19th Edition
Sunday was marked by emotion and recognition. The Best Jabuticaba Wine Awards honored producers whose wines stood out for quality and flavor, a moment that symbolized residents' pride and the continuity of a tradition spanning generations.
The event also awarded the best artistic and cultural performances, reinforcing the idea that the Festa do Vinho is a space for collective expression and local identity.
As the sun set over the mountains of the Serra do Caraça, the crowd said goodbye to the 2019 edition knowing that the festival is not just an event but a link between past, present and future — a living celebration of Catas Altas culture.
