The Brazilian Climate

There is a mild, subtropical, damp climate. Summer seasons are mild and damp.

Artificial irrigation is used to bring about the wine season in the far north, at 9° Southern Latitude, in the large arid São Francisco River Valley.

The 500 m altitude difference, together with the difference in the intensity of sunshine on the northern and southern slopes, creates many microclimates. The common average precipitation depth is 1800 mm but in some years it is 2200 mm or more during the year. Every 5 to 10 years there is drought, which is ideal for wine. It does not snow in winter but it can be relatively cold, possibly with frost. However, hailstorms occurring during summer represent a more serious danger.

Vineyards are located in the middle of medium steep slopes climbing from 450 m up to 650 m of altitude. The vineyards are not irrigated and the vine grows in dependence on rainfalls. Although the vineyards are located on mild slopes, the conditions are very similar to wine growing in mountainous regions.

Because of the tropical semiarid climate with a high number of sunny days and a low volume of rainfalls, the vineyards are irrigated with emulsified water, which is a system similar to the one used in other regions in the world.

The region has a mild, not very damp climate with relatively warm and dry summers, in contrast to the standard climate of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, which makes it different from the other winegrowing regions in Brazil.

Campos de Cima da Serra in the state of Rio Grande do Sul is one of the coldest and highest places where grapes are produced in Brazil. It is located at the altitude of more than 1000 m.