During their Montevideo tours, visitors will be able to start tasting fine wines no more than thirty minutes from the capital. The family-owned boutique, Bouza Winery, situated in Montevideo Department, grows grapes in two separate vineyards. The first is just twelve acres in size and is near Malilla where its winery, a restored building that dates back to 1942, is located. Here Bouza grows grapes for its reds, Tannat and Merlot, as well as for its whites, Chardonnay and Albarino, a wine similar to Viognier. Its other vineyard, Las Violetas, is about twice the size and grows the same varieties plus tempranillo, a Rioja grape. The 90,000 bottles that Bouza produces each year include currently: two whites; one rosé made from Tempranillo and eight reds; three of which are Tannats, two that are Merlots and the rest Tannat blends.
The Juanico Winery
Located north of Montevideo outside the town of Juanico in the Cannelones Department, the Juanico Winery comprises almost 575 acres of vineyards as well as 360 acres grown on contract for other producers. Wine grapes have been cultivated on this land for almost two centuries, and the winery is in its fourth decade under the meticulous supervision of the Deicas family. Best known for its Tannats and its Chardonnay-Viognier blend, the winery produces several wines from its seven red and five white varieties. Juanico produced its first grand cru (a vineyard-specific wine) in 1992, began exporting its wines two years later and has been winning international awards ever since, thanks to high quality standards and advanced technology.
One of its brands, Don Pasqual, pays homage to the Basque immigrant who began Uruguay’s quality wine traditions, producing the country’s signature wine, Tannat, for the first time. Juanico produces such oak-aged wines as Cabernet Sauvignon, a Chardonnay-Viognier blend, and Petit Verdot, a rare varietal. The winery has also developed a French-style champagne. The cellar which passengers on Uruguay tours will visit at the winery is the original cellar built in 1830 and Uruguay’s first.
Wine connoisseurs who travel with Southern Explorations will have their choice of full trips or shorter tour extensions that include winetasting in the itinerary. We also offer special interest tour extensions for those who wish to learn about Uruguay’s history and culture or want to hit the beach, making it a convenient way to add in Uruguay tours during one’s travel to Argentina.
