Fazenda Independência, Guaraciaba, MG / Aguardente Guaraciaba Ltda

History

1960 José Maria Santana with the nickname “Zé Santana” began to produce sugar cane distillate (Cachaça) with a small water operated millstone. His product was brought by oxen from cattle dealers to regional markets to be sold. The good reputation spread in the region and arised the demand, therefore the small machine was substituted by a big steam operated one. 1965 the brand Guaraciaba was registrated, the oxen were substituted by a truck and after a while the brand turned to the most favourite in the capital of Minas Grais, Belo Horizonte.

1983 the enterprise lost with the death of “Zé Santana”, who died of Hepatitis B, an important drive of an entrepreneur and the vision of a businessman. Besides the lost of the entrepreneur the crisis of the small cachaça created problems. The price of the product declined (the big gasoline factories started to produce liquor too), but the factory did not have to close their doors, like many others.