Bento Gonçalves: Maria Fumaça Train, Winery & Italian Lunch

Summary

Steam train rides, Italian stories, and vineyard lunches in Serra Gaúcha

You’ll ride the Maria Fumaça steam train between Bento Gonçalves and Carlos Barbosa with live music, taste sparkling wines at a local winery, explore immigrant stories at Parque Epopeia Italiana guided by locals, enjoy a generous Italian lunch in Vale dos Vinhedos, and stop for cheese—and maybe even truffles—along the way. Expect warmth, music, and a few surprises.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the sharp whistle echoing through Bento Gonçalves station—kind of startled me, honestly. The Maria Fumaça train looked almost out of place with all its polished wood and brass. Our guide, Ana, handed us tickets with a wink and said something about “saving room for wine.” I didn’t know what she meant until we were halfway to Garibaldi, tarantella music bouncing down the aisles while someone pressed a little cup of sparkling wine into my hand. The air smelled like warm metal and grapes. It’s a day trip from Bento Gonçalves to Carlos Barbosa but it felt like we’d slipped into some old family story.

I got caught up watching the hills roll by—patches of green tangled with vineyards and those stone houses you see in old photos. At one point, a woman in our carriage started singing along with the band (she was definitely local; I just hummed). We stopped at Parque Epopeia Italiana where Lázaro led us through these huge sets telling the story of Italian immigrants. He made jokes about his own nonna’s cooking—everyone laughed except me because I was still thinking about that one scene with the wooden cart and how tired people must’ve been coming here. Funny how a day trip can get under your skin like that.

Lunch was this loud affair in Vale dos Vinhedos—a real canteen with long tables and people passing plates of risotto and grilled chicken like it was Sunday at someone’s house. I tried to keep up but there’s no way to pace yourself when they keep bringing more food (the pasta was slippery; nearly lost it off my fork). Someone poured me another glass of red from a local winery—honestly, I don’t remember which one because by then everything tasted like laughter and garlic. Afterward we wandered through Tramontina’s showroom (so many knives) and poked around a cheese shop in Carlos Barbosa—smelled sharp and milky at once.

I think what stuck most wasn’t just the Maria Fumaça train or even the wine tasting—it was that feeling of being swept along by other people’s traditions for a few hours. Even now I hear that whistle sometimes when I’m making pasta at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Maria Fumaça Train and Local Visits

• Learn Italian colonizers history
• Board Maria Fumaça Train
• Enjoy Italian show and tasting
• Visit winery and taste wines
• Stop at Parque Epopeia Italiana
• Have Italian lunch in Vale dos Vinhedos
• Visit Tramontina cutlery manufacturer
• Tour artisan truffle factory in Garibaldi
• Shop specialty knitwear in Nova Petrópolis

Top questions

How long is the Maria Fumaça train ride?

The train ride lasts approximately 2 hours between Bento Gonçalves, Garibaldi, and Carlos Barbosa.

Is lunch included on this tour?

Yes, lunch is included at a typical Italian canteen in Vale dos Vinhedos.

Are wine tastings part of the experience?

Yes, there are tastings of wine, sparkling wine, and grape juice at a local winery during the tour.

What cities does the Maria Fumaça train visit?

The train travels between Bento Gonçalves, Garibaldi, and Carlos Barbosa.

Is hotel pickup provided?

The tour includes transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle; check if hotel pickup is available when booking.

Who are the guides at Parque Epopeia Italiana?

You may be guided by Lázaro or Rosa through nine life-size scenarios about Italian immigration.

Are there stops for shopping?

Yes, there are stops at Tramontina's showroom in Carlos Barbosa and specialty knitwear shops in Nova Petrópolis.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult's lap or use a stroller; moderate physical fitness is recommended for all travelers.

What’s included

Your day includes transport in an air-conditioned vehicle across Serra Gaúcha with entry to Parque Epopeia Italiana guided by locals like Lázaro or Rosa; a seat on the Maria Fumaça steam train from Bento Gonçalves to Carlos Barbosa; tastings at a winery in Grape & Wine country; visits to Tramontina's cutlery showroom and Fetina de Formaio cheese house; plus a hearty Italian lunch served family-style before heading back with full bellies (and maybe some new friends).