rural route · Venda Nova do Imigrante, ES
Circuito de agroturismo de Venda Nova do Imigrante
A group of farms run by families of Italian descent that welcome visitors to taste socol (cured pork loin), cheeses, wines, jams and farm coffee. The town is recognized by federal law as Brazil's National Capital of Agritourism.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Circuito de agroturismo de Venda Nova do Imigrante
The agritourism circuit of Venda Nova do Imigrante brings together family farms, spread across the rural communities of the municipality, that open their doors to visitors. Most of the families descend from the Italian immigrants who settled the region in the late 19th century. Agritourism here means visiting a working farm: seeing the daily work in the fields, tasting what is produced there and taking some home.
The activity began in 1987, when rural tourism was still rare in Brazil. The first farmers were inspired by Italian "agriturismo," and in 1993 the association bringing together the region's businesses was founded. This pioneering role earned the town the nickname National Capital of Agritourism, which became an official title under Federal Law No. 14,636 of 2023.
On the visits, you can watch the cattle in the corral, see milk turned into cheese and coffee drying on the patio and, in the right season, join the harvest. Products include cheeses, Arabica coffee, wine, grappa, liqueurs, cachaça (sugarcane spirit), jams, fruit preserves, cookies, stone-ground cornmeal and crafts. The star is socol, a cured meat brought by the immigrants: pork loin seasoned with salt, garlic and black pepper, wrapped in a membrane from the pig and cured for a few months. It is an adaptation of the Italian ossocollo, made from pork neck, and has had a geographical indication since 2018.
The outing is relaxed and suits all ages. The farms are in the countryside, and access to shops, drying patios and corrals varies from place to place. If you have reduced mobility, check with each farm before you go.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
Set aside at least a full day to visit a few farms at a relaxed pace; with two days you can add the area's trails and waterfalls.
Best time
It is worth it year-round, always during the day, when the farms receive visitors; in October the town holds its traditional Festa da Polenta, which draws big crowds.
How to get there
Venda Nova do Imigrante is in the mountain region of Espírito Santo, along the BR-262, the highway linking Vitória to Minas Gerais. The farms are spread across the municipality's rural communities, and the easiest way to get between them is by car.
Tip
Check each farm's visiting days and hours before you set out, and bring a cooler bag if you want to take cheese and socol home.
Official website
A look at the place
Circuito de agroturismo de Venda Nova do Imigrante in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Circuito de agroturismo de Venda Nova do Imigrante
Why is Venda Nova do Imigrante called the National Capital of Agritourism?
Because it pioneered farm tourism in Brazil, starting in 1987. The title was made official by Federal Law No. 14,636 of 2023.
What is socol?
It is a cured meat brought by Italian immigrants: pork loin seasoned with salt, garlic and black pepper, wrapped in a membrane from the pig and cured for a few months. It has had a geographical indication since 2018.
What can you do on the Venda Nova agritourism circuit?
Visit farms run by families of Italian descent, see cheese and coffee being made, watch the work in the corral, join the harvest in season, and taste and buy products such as socol, cheeses, wine, jams and coffee.
Do I need to book to visit the farms?
Each farm has its own visiting days and hours. Check directly with the farm before you set out.
How do you get to Venda Nova do Imigrante?
The town is in the mountain region of Espírito Santo, along the BR-262. To get around between the farms, the easiest way is by car.