Queijaria Pé do Morro: A Sunset Picnic in the Serra do Japi

Queijaria Pé do Morro (Instagram) is part of Sítio 7 Luas, a property owned by the family of Érico Kolya, who runs the place. Located in Cabreúva, 70 km from the São Paulo state capital, in an area known as the Serra do Japi. By car, it’s about an hour and a half from the capital, according to maps apps.

We went in the late afternoon to catch the sunset, and I have to start off by saying it was, without question, genuinely worth it, both for the connection with nature and the beauty of the place.

About the Serra do Japi

The Serra do Japi is a small mountain range in southeastern São Paulo state. On top of that, the region is a rare remaining stretch of Atlantic Forest, bordering four municipalities: Jundiaí, Pirapora do Bom Jesus, Cajamar, and Cabreúva.

There are a few explanations for its name, including its resemblance to a bird’s call (iapi or japi), and in the Tupi-Guarani language, “iapy” means “river’s headwaters.”

About Queijaria Pé do Morro

This project began in 2016, a year after Érico Kolya, tired of his job, set out to find inspiration for a career change, seeking answers across 3 different properties — in Argentina, where he learned to grow Syrah grapes for winemaking, and in Germany and Switzerland, to build his knowledge of cheesemaking.

That said, his cheesemaking process actually blends what he learned abroad with the cheeses of the Serra da Canastra, creating his own distinct method, using Jersey and Brown Swiss cattle.

They aim for organic, natural production of cheese, wine, and olive oil, though for now, only cheese is available for sale.

Our Experience

We visited on a fall afternoon, with plenty of sun and genuinely pleasant weather, and in the end, we really got to enjoy the place.

There’s a house where they sell their products, packed into a picnic basket so you can sit on the lawn or at a table and enjoy the experience. You can buy a range of products to eat on site, like cheese, bread, and spreads, along with wine, beer, grape juice, and kombucha to drink.

From here, the view takes in the vineyards, the property’s olive trees, and the surrounding mountains, painting a beautiful backdrop, whether at sunset or any other time of day.

As for the cheeses, they offer Sol do Japi, a semi-cooked cheese aged for 3, 6, or 9 months, inspired by Alpine cheeses, and Lua da Serra, inspired by camembert, with a soft interior and white mold rind. They also sell house-made butter, with no added salt or preservatives.

We really loved this place, and we’d definitely recommend it — hope you enjoyed the tip too.

Location: Estrada Pé do Morro, SN, Cabreúva, SP.

Hours: Saturday, Sunday, and holidays, 11 AM to 5 PM.

Contact: (11) 99451-7290 / pedomorro.japi@gmail.com.

Read more about our trip in the area in Fazenda Nossa Senhora da Conceição.