brazil

Brazil, home of the Amazon, Rio de Janiero and Carnivale, is the 3rd largest wine producing country in South America (trailing Argentina and Chile) and the 15th largest in the world.

Vinhos Finos, made from Vinifera as opposed to hybrids or native varieties, make up some 13,000 acres and growing. Because of its position on the equator and large size, most fine wine is produced in the southern, temperate zones of the country, mostly in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, largely in the Serra Gaucha upland plateaus.

The Wines

Salton produces a large range of wines under several brands. Terroir represents only the wines under the family name, made from classic international varietals.

sparkling wines

Salton Brut NV: A blend of Chardonnay, Glera and Trebbiano from the Serra Gaucha, vinified in stainless. Charmat process, 14 g/l dosage (an “extra-dry” by Champagne standards).

Salton Brut Rose NV: A blend of 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Trebbiano grown in the Serra Gaucha, vinified in stainless. Charmat process, 14 g/l dosage (an “extra-dry” by Champagne standards).

Salton Moscatel NV: 100% Muscat of Alexandria from the Serra Gaucha, vinified in stainless. Charmat process, 7.5% ABV, 75 g/l dosage (an “extra-dry” by Champagne standards). Along the lines of a light, balanced Asti Spumante.

still wines

Salton “Intenso” Cabernet Sauvignon: 100% Cab Sauvignon from the Campanha Gaucha. Destemmed, macerated and fermented in stainless before clarification and bottling.

Salton “Intenso” Cabernet Franc: 100% Cab Franc from the Campanha Gaucha. Destemmed, macerated and fermented in stainless before clarification and bottling.

Salton “Intenso” Pinot Noir: 100% Pinot Noir from the Campanha Gaucha. Destemmed, macerated and fermented in stainless before clarification and bottling.

familia salton

The Salton family originated in Italy’s Veneto, in the village of Cison di Valmarino. in 1878, Antonio Domenico Salton left Italy and emigrated to the then-Italian colony of Bento Goncalves, in what is now Rio Grande do Sul. In 1910, his sons Paulo, Angelo, João, José, Cesar, Luis and Antonio launched the family wine firm, later renamed Familia Salton.

A century later, Familia Salton is the largest winery in Brazil, recognized worldwide for its sparkling wines, Moscatels and table wines from the global classics, such as Cabernet, Merlot and Pinot Noir. Today their wines, crafted by winemaker Gregorio Salton, are internationally acclaimed and available in 32 countries on 5 continents.

the vineyards

Salton’s winery and vineyards are located in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil’s southeassternmost State, and the center of the country’s fine wine industry.

Salton owns vineyards in 4 districts:

Campanha (Campanha Gaucha) in the far southwest near the border of Uruguay, a district with sandy well-drained soils laying at about 650ft elevation, where Salton produces Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Serra Gaucha, in the northeast of the State, a district with shallow, stony soils at about 1950 ft elevation. This district is responsible for some 85% of Brazil’s fine wine production and is where Salton has their winery and their primary vineyards

Serra do Sudeste, east of Campanha, a gently rolling region averaging around 1600ft, with deeper soils primarily of decomposed granitic bedrock.

Campos de Cima da Serra, at about 3,000 ft, the highest and coolest wine-producting area in Brazil. Deep, reddish lateritic soils with high iron content.