Uruguay is a land of rolling plains and gentle hills ideally suited to winemaking. Located between 30 and 33 degrees south latitude with a temperate climate, it rivals other wine regions of the Southern Hemisphere such as Chile, Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand. Among the most compelling destinations for wine tourism across the country, Alto de la Ballena invites you to experience something truly memorable through visiting its impressive vineyards and tasting its wines. It sits in the south-eastern region of Maldonado Department, not far from the sea and Punta del Este.

History

Spouses Paula Pivel and Alvaro Lorenzo created a small bodega within Maldonado Department in 1998. Although they had limited expertise in winemaking, they set out to find the perfect location suited to viticulture.

After several months of research, study, and consultation, the couple decided to purchase approximately 20 hectares of land near the Sierra de la Ballena, close to Punta del Este, the most important beach resort in all of Latin America.

The first vines were planted in spring 2001. The grape varieties used are Merlot, Tannat, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Viognier. The first harvest was obtained in 2005, and the first products were brought to market in 2007.

Today you can find Alto de la Ballena wines sold in restaurants, specialty shops, and gastronomic venues throughout Uruguay, notably in Montevideo and of course in Punta del Este. These wines are also available in Brazil, Mexico, and Sweden.

Today

Thanks to the slopes and rocky profile of its soils, the hills of the Sierra de la Ballena provide excellent drainage for the vineyards. Alto de la Ballena sits very close to the ocean and Laguna de Sauce. This location enjoys a temperate climate with cool nights during the grape ripening period. With careful vineyard management, this magnificent terroir continues to produce grapes of outstanding quality for Alto de la Ballena wines. These are crafted using modern winemaking techniques that guarantee quality, with artisanal management of each parcel. Currently, reservoir capacity of 3,000, 5,000, and 7,500 liters enables the production of 60,000 bottles.

Exploring the Alto de la Ballena Wine Estate

The Alto de la Ballena estate sits at the foot of the Sierra de la Ballena, in a region perfectly suited for producing dry wines. As mentioned above, it benefits from ideal weather conditions as well as soils, geology, and proximity to water sources that optimize grape and wine quality.

During your visit, you'll have the opportunity to tour the vineyards covering more than 8 acres of plantings. These feature Merlot, Syrah, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, and above all the emblematic Tannat. There is also a selection of clones from major wine varieties, which are grafted onto rootstocks best adapted to the local climate and soil of each parcel. You'll see vines pruned to the spur with a Royat cord training system.

It is possible to visit the cellar, taste the wines of the terroir, and discover some of the technology employed to ensure quality throughout the winemaking process—including pre and post-fermentation maceration, fermentation, storage, and aging. Small batches allow for individual management of each variety and each parcel.