Wine Tourism and Grape Harvest Festivals at the Terroir of Wines of Altitude in the State of Santa Catarina – Brazil

Abstract

This article discusses from the point of view of environmental history, wine tourism, and the realization of grape harvest festivals which are taking place in the 21st century in the  Wines of  Altitude terroir, located in the Plateau region of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Through a review of both theoretical and empirical bibliography, as well as the analysis of sources on the subject - such as articles published in the press, photographs, and marketing material, especially about the harvest festivals called "Vindima de Altitude" -, this paper seeks to broaden the debate about wine tourism. It is understood as wine tourism that goes beyond the idealization and romanticization of the sector, seeking a dialogue between researchers from different areas of knowledge and critical reflections in the field of human sciences. We argue that the great opportunity to build a differential for the Vinhos de Altitude terroir involves the insertion of sustainable practices in the vineyards and socioenvironmental responsibility towards the inhabitants and the environment of the region.