Paraná Wine Producers Boost Output and Tourism With New Initiatives

Paraná is making significant progress in becoming a reference point for wine production in Brazil. The state currently has 444 rural producers involved in grape cultivation and the production of wine and juice. These producers are featured in the March and April edition of the Orgulho Paraná Project, an initiative by the FAEP System that highlights agricultural producers from different regions of the state. The project aims to promote Paraná’s agricultural products and give visibility to farmers across the region.

According to data from the Department of Rural Economy (Deral) of the State Secretariat for Agriculture and Supply (Seab), grape and wine production in Paraná generates R$261.7 million annually. This figure comes from the sale of 50,000 tons of grapes grown on more than 3,500 hectares throughout the state. These numbers are expected to rise with the launch of the Rota Uva & Vinho Paraná tourist route in February, supported by the FAEP System. The route promotes rural tourism across 60 properties in 31 municipalities, attracting visitors interested in local wine culture.

Ágide Eduardo Meneguette, president of the FAEP System, says that giving visibility to producers helps promote products from Paraná’s soil and strengthens pride among everyone involved in the production chain. One example is Alberto Horst, founder of Vinícola Horst in Guarapuava, located in central Paraná. Horst initially bought land for cattle farming but shifted to wine production after research and visits to renowned wine-producing countries. He established Vinícola Horst with his wife Joelma and daughter Gabriela, focusing on high-altitude fine wines such as Dom Alberto (Malbec) and Lote Santa Cruz (Cabernet Franc).

The family business started with 10,000 imported European grape seedlings and expanded to 16,000 vines. The property quickly became a tourist attraction due to its scenic vineyards and unique approach. According to Horst, Guarapuava’s altitude is ideal for growing quality wine grapes. The first harvest took place in 2023, yielding 5,000 kilograms of grapes and producing 4,000 bottles of wine. Production increased to 10,000 bottles in 2024 and is projected to reach 17,000 bottles this year from a harvest of 20 tons of grapes. Currently, bottling takes place in São José dos Pinhais near Curitiba, but Horst plans to build a facility in Guarapuava so all production stages can occur locally.

In northern Paraná, Marialva is known as the Capital da Uva Fina (Fine Grape Capital). The Coaviti cooperative has gained prominence since its founding in 2005 by 20 small local producers who joined forces to strengthen their market presence. Coaviti produces both red (dry and sweet) and white (dry and sweet) wines. Tatiana Castelari, current president of Coaviti and daughter of grape growers with over three decades of experience, emphasizes that producing good wine requires careful attention at every stage—from vineyard management to grape selection, fermentation, and bottling.

Castelari notes that participation in Orgulho Paraná has increased public interest in visiting their winery, raising both their profile and that of Marialva as a wine-producing region.

The metropolitan region around Curitiba has also seen growth in grape and wine production. Strapasson Winery in Colombo stands out with a history dating back to 1889 when immigrants from Venice brought grapevines that thrived locally. Today, Strapasson uses Terci grapes for red wines (dry and sweet) and Niagara grapes for white and rosé wines. The winery has diversified its offerings with products such as cosmetics made from Terci wine, truffles, jams, juices, Easter eggs, and plans for a new perfume.

Jéssica Martini, co-owner of Strapasson Winery, says being featured by Orgulho Paraná recognizes decades of family work. She hopes this exposure will help them reach more customers across Brazil while sharing knowledge about winemaking traditions from Colombo and Paraná.

With ongoing investments in tourism initiatives like Rota Uva & Vinho Paraná and support from organizations such as FAEP System, Paraná’s wine industry is poised for continued growth. Producers are combining tradition with innovation while attracting visitors eager to experience local flavors firsthand. As more families invest in vineyards and wineries across different regions of the state, Paraná is steadily building its reputation as an emerging center for Brazilian wine production.