Fazenda Boa Vista Coronel Xavier Chaves Cachaça
A historic, family-run distillery preserving traditional 'raiz' cachaça production with unparalleled hospitality.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Extended conversations
Fazenda Boa Vista Coronel Xavier Chaves Cachaça
Best Time
Extended conversations
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A historic, family-run distillery preserving traditional 'raiz' cachaça production with unparalleled hospitality.
"A living museum of cachaça, offering authentic spirit and the warmest 'prosa mineira'."
⏳ Allow Plenty of Time
Don't rush! You'll likely stay longer than planned, drawn into conversations and the relaxed atmosphere.
🗣️ Engage with the Owners
The family's stories and passion for cachaça are a highlight. Ask questions and enjoy the 'prosa mineira'!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Generational Storytelling
The distillery grounds
Hear captivating tales from Nando Chaves, the owner, about the family's history and the cachaça-making process.
Traditional Cachaça Tasting
The tasting area
Sample authentic, unadulterated cachaça, focusing on alcohol content and age, not fancy barrel aging.
The Historic Alambique
The distillery
Explore the operational distillery, a living museum showcasing centuries of cachaça production heritage.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Experience Authentic Cachaça
Plan for a Relaxed Visit
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
⏳ Allow Plenty of Time
Don't rush! You'll likely stay longer than planned, drawn into conversations and the relaxed atmosphere.
🗣️ Engage with the Owners
The family's stories and passion for cachaça are a highlight. Ask questions and enjoy the 'prosa mineira'!
🍶 Taste the 'Raiz' Cachaça
Experience cachaça in its pure form – no fancy aging, just the true spirit of the sugarcane.
🚗 Access Road
The access road can be a bit rocky. A higher clearance vehicle is recommended, but manageable with care.
Tips
from all over the internet
⏳ Allow Plenty of Time
Don't rush! You'll likely stay longer than planned, drawn into conversations and the relaxed atmosphere.
🗣️ Engage with the Owners
The family's stories and passion for cachaça are a highlight. Ask questions and enjoy the 'prosa mineira'!
🍶 Taste the 'Raiz' Cachaça
Experience cachaça in its pure form – no fancy aging, just the true spirit of the sugarcane.
🚗 Access Road
The access road can be a bit rocky. A higher clearance vehicle is recommended, but manageable with care.
💰 Purchase Cachaça
Consider buying a bottle to take home; it's a great souvenir and supports this historic tradition.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about Fazenda Boa Vista for its authentic, rustic cachaça experience and the unparalleled hospitality of the owners. It's celebrated as a living museum of traditional distillation, offering a genuine taste of Minas Gerais culture. While the access road can be challenging, the immersive stories and pure cachaça make it a must-visit for many.
"Imperdível para quem gosta de cachaça. Lugar rústico, sem as frescuras de outros estabelecimentos similares da região. A cachaça também é raiz: só branca. Sem carvalho francês nem barril de bourbon. As únicas opções são teor alcoólico ou idade. A apresentação das cachaças é um espetáculo. Além da boa prosa mineira"
Monge
"Cachaçaria mais antiga ainda em atividade que já está na nona geração.
O Lugar tem uma paz,alem da beleza.
Os proprietários são ótimos, em especial o Sr. Nando que conta toda história de forma bem divertida, explica o processo de de produção da cachaça, além de ensinar como beber cachaça.
A cachaça é otima, vale a pena comprar
A cachaça de rótulo azul custa R$60,00"
Sergio palves
"Ahhhh, a hospitalidade mineira, aqui é o melhor exemplo de que os mineiros e mineiras são imbatíveis!
Fomos despretensiosos, mas ao mesmo tempo ansiosos, porque já era tarde, chegamos por volta das 16:30 e pelo Google Maps o atendimento iria somente até as 17:00, o que previa uma visita rápida.
Logo que chegamos fomos recebidos pelo Paulinho, que na verdade era um amigo do proprietário que estava visitando ele, e logo em seguida chegou o Nando Chaves o proprietário, que já foi logo nos deixando totalmente à vontade, a partir dali me senti como mais um amigo naquela conversa e não como visitante tamanha a hospitalidade e cordialidade do Nando.
Entre a apresentação do alambique e o processo de fabricação ele ia emendando causos e a conversa foi fluindo num ritmo que você nem percebe a hora passar e também não tem desejo que a hora passe.
Até a esposa do Nando em um dado momento ligou para ele para avisar que o pão de queijo tinha acabado de sair do forno e se ele viria para casa, e ele no jeito mineiro dele falou que estava com visita no alambique, mas já estava quase terminando, bem depois disso se passaram mais 1,5 hora só.
Entre muita prosa boa fomos degustando as cachaças, inclusive nos ensinou como fazer da forma correta para poder sentir todo o sabor que só uma boa cachaça pode propiciar.
Bem, resumindo saímos de lá às 19:00 horas, eu e minha esposa, e olha que ela não bebe, mas ficou o tempo todo atenta e participando da conversa e nas palavras dela ela percebeu a paixão do Nando neste tema.
Saímos com a certeza de que visitamos um lugar especial, com certeza o melhor desta nossa viagem à região de Tiradentes, e que deveria ser parada obrigatória a quem visita a região e aprecia esta bebida genuinamente brasileira em um alambique raiz, sem a gumertização e comercialização tanto em alta hoje em dia, e não estou criticando quem o faz assim, mas pra mim não tem nada que possa substituir a essência e a paixão que o Nando, a oitava geração de mestre alambiqueiro da familia, nos mostrou e demonstrou nesta visita.
Nando muito obrigado pela visita e fiquei feliz que seus filhos, a nona geração da familia seguem seus passos, aliás o professor deles não poderia ser melhor.
Grande abraço e sucesso!
Ps. Também um abraço ao Paulinho seu amigo que nos acompanhou nesta viagem!"
Mário Pignatari
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Fazenda Boa Vista is located in Coronel Xavier Chaves, Minas Gerais. Access is typically by car. The road leading to the fazenda can be rocky and uneven, so a vehicle with higher clearance is advisable. GPS navigation is recommended, but be prepared for rural road conditions.
Public transport options to Coronel Xavier Chaves are limited. It's best to travel by car, either your own or a rented one. Local taxis might be an option from nearby towns, but confirm availability and pricing beforehand.
The drive involves rural roads. While many visitors manage with standard cars, some reviews suggest a higher clearance vehicle can make the journey more comfortable due to the rocky terrain. Drive cautiously and enjoy the scenic route.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
There is no mention of pre-purchased tickets. Entry is typically based on visiting during operating hours and engaging with the owners for a tour and tasting. It's advisable to check their official channels for any specific entry requirements.
While specific hours can vary, visitors have reported arriving in the late afternoon (around 4:30 PM) and staying until 7:00 PM, indicating flexible or extended hours. It's best to contact them directly or check recent visitor comments for the most current information.
Reviews suggest that the experience is more about the hospitality and storytelling, with cachaça purchases being the primary transaction. There isn't a clear mention of a separate entrance fee, but be prepared to purchase cachaça.
Based on visitor experiences, reservations don't seem to be strictly required. However, given the personal nature of the tours and tastings, arriving during their operational hours and being prepared for a potentially extended stay is recommended.
🎫 🥃 Cachaça & Tasting
Fazenda Boa Vista specializes in traditional, 'raiz' cachaça. They offer options based on alcohol content and age, avoiding modern 'gourmet' infusions or barrel aging. Expect pure, unadulterated sugarcane spirit.
Prices vary by type. As of early 2024, 'normal' bottles (like the blue label) were around R$60,00, while a special 12-year aged bottle (red label) was R$250,00. Prices can change, so confirm upon arrival.
Yes, tasting is a key part of the experience. You'll likely be guided through a tasting session where you can learn how to best appreciate the flavors.
Século XIII is one of the original brands produced at the fazenda. The blue label is described as a 'basic' model with a noticeable warmth and lingering aftertaste, while the red label is a 12-year aged version with subtle notes.
Santo Graau is a collaborative 'collab' brand featuring cachaças from different distilleries in RJ and SP, using the Santo Graau name. The cachaças considered most original to the fazenda are the Século XIII series.
📸 📸 Photography
The rustic charm of the distillery, the historic alambique, and the beautiful rural landscape offer many picturesque moments. Capture the essence of traditional cachaça production and the warm hospitality.
Focus on the vintage stills, the sugarcane fields (if accessible), the traditional architecture of the fazenda, and candid shots of the owners sharing their stories. The natural light in the afternoons can be beautiful.
♿ 👨👩👧 Family & Accessibility
While the focus is on cachaça, the historical aspect and the engaging storytelling can be interesting for older children. However, it's primarily an adult-oriented experience. Supervision is key due to the operational distillery.
The access road is described as rocky and can be challenging. Inside the fazenda, the terrain might also be uneven. Visitors with mobility issues should be aware of these conditions.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
However, it's important to manage expectations. The focus is on cachaça tasting and the history of its production. Ensure children are supervised closely due to the operational machinery and uneven terrain. The extended conversations might also test the patience of younger children, so consider this when planning your visit.
🥃 Cachaça Connoisseurs
Pay close attention to the descriptions of the Século XIII line, particularly the blue and red labels, to understand the differences in profile. Engage with the owners about their production methods and their philosophy on preserving traditional cachaça. This is a chance to deepen your understanding of Brazil's national spirit beyond the mainstream offerings.
🚗 Road Trip Enthusiasts
Factor in ample time for this stop, as you'll likely be captivated by the experience and the hospitality. It's a perfect blend of scenic driving and authentic local culture, offering a taste of true Minas Gerais charm that goes beyond typical tourist attractions.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Legacy of Fazenda Boa Vista
Visitors often describe the experience as stepping back in time. The rustic setting, the operational alambique that has been producing cachaça for centuries, and the genuine hospitality create an immersive atmosphere. It's a place where the process of making cachaça is as important as the final product, and the stories behind it are woven into every sip. This commitment to authenticity is what draws enthusiasts seeking a true taste of Brazil's national spirit.
Understanding 'Raiz' Cachaça
This approach is a deliberate choice to preserve the historical integrity of cachaça production. The owners believe that the essence of this Brazilian spirit lies in its straightforward distillation and maturation, unadorned by external influences. This philosophy resonates with purists and those looking to understand the foundational flavors of cachaça, offering a stark contrast to the increasingly 'gourmetized' market. Tasting here is an education in the unadulterated spirit.
The Hospitality of Minas Gerais
Nando Chaves, in particular, is praised for his engaging storytelling, his willingness to share every detail of the cachaça-making process, and his genuine passion for his craft. Even those who don't typically drink cachaça find themselves captivated by the atmosphere and the warmth of the hosts. This personal connection and authentic welcome are what elevate a visit from a simple tasting to a memorable cultural immersion.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit