Minas Gerais Winery Challenges Tradition, Scores Historic 96 Points, and Turns the Tide of Brazilian Wine

Written by Caio Aviz

Published on 03/07/2025 at 17:50

Updated on 03/07/2025 at 17:51

Campo de vinhedo bem cuidado, com fileiras de parreiras alinhadas em meio à natureza exuberante.

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Isabela Syrah 2023 Elevates Southern Minas to the Top of Global Viticulture

The viticulture of Minas Gerais achieved historic recognition in 2025 with the Isabela Syrah 2023, a label from Vinícola Maria Maria.
It is located in Boa Esperança, in southern Minas Gerais.
The wine received a gold medal and an impressive 96 points at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA), held in London.
This information was released in May 2025 by the Decanter organization.
The award evaluated labels from over 50 countries and highlighted the Syrah from Minas.
It became the highest-rated in Brazil of all time.
This result marks a turning point for the sector, according to Eduardo Junqueira Nogueira Neto.
He is the commercial director of Maria Maria.

Global Recognition Valuates Double Pruning

For the first time, the Isabela Syrah 2023 stood out as the only Brazilian wine awarded gold in the 2025 edition.
Produced with Syrah grapes cultivated at Fazenda Capetinga, the label employs an unorthodox technique: double pruning.
This method has been researched by Murilo Regina from Epamig since 2007.
The practice is also known as inverted cycle.
It consists of two annual prunings to harvest grapes in the dry winter of Minas.
This climate provides ideal conditions for maturation and reduces the risk of fungal diseases.
Thus, it reveals intense aromas of red and black fruits, in addition to spices.
Among them, black pepper, cinnamon, and fennel stand out.
This explanation comes from winemaker Isabela Peregrino, who lends her name to the label.

Detailed Production Ensures Quality

With vinification in stainless steel tanks, without aging in oak barrels, the Isabela Syrah showcases the Minas terroir in a pure and intense way.
Multiple vinifications in small batches were required, with maceration ranging from eight to twenty days, always under strict control.
The result, as released by the winery’s technical team in June 2025, is a Syrah with soft tannins and balanced acidity.
It has a persistent finish and is ideal for consumption between 2025 and 2028.
The price, at R$160 on the official e-commerce site, reflects the quality and pioneering technique.
These techniques were applied in both cultivation and vinification.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Family Tradition Drives Innovation

The history of Vinícola Maria Maria began with the coffee tradition of the Junqueira Nogueira family from Três Pontas, Minas Gerais.
This family boasts six generations dedicated to coffee.
The heart attack of patriarch Eduardo Nogueira in 2007 brought wine into the family’s routine by medical advice.
From travels and studies, Eduardo became familiar with Epamig’s experiments with double pruning.
This practice boosted viticulture in the region.
Today, in addition to the award-winning Isabela Syrah, the winery offers labels such as Juliana Rosé Syrah 2024 and Júlia Sauvignon Blanc 2024.
Also noteworthy are Gaia Syrah 2021 and Gaia Gran Reserva Syrah 2021.
The portfolio meets the growing interest of domestic and foreign wine enthusiasts.

Minas Potential Attracts Wine Tourism

For commercial director Eduardo Junqueira Nogueira Neto, the international award therefore highlights the potential of southern Minas for the wine world.
In an interview with local press at the end of June 2025, he also emphasized that the achievement will attract visitors, investors, and wine tourists.
The region is thus consolidating itself as a cradle of world-class wines.
The goal, therefore, is to show that Minas produces more than coffee and cheese.
Moreover, we produce wines of the highest quality, with a unique identity and remarkable flavor.

Minas Gerais Winery Challenges Tradition, Scores Historic 96 Points, and Turns the Tide of Brazilian Wine

Isabela Syrah 2023 Elevates Southern Minas to the Top of Global Viticulture

Global Recognition Valuates Double Pruning

Detailed Production Ensures Quality

Family Tradition Drives Innovation

Minas Potential Attracts Wine Tourism

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Minas Gerais Winery Challenges Tradition, Scores Historic 96 Points, and Turns the Tide of Brazilian Wine

Isabela Syrah 2023 Elevates Southern Minas to the Top of Global Viticulture

Global Recognition Valuates Double Pruning

Detailed Production Ensures Quality

Family Tradition Drives Innovation

Minas Potential Attracts Wine Tourism

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