This morning, your guide will collect you from the hotel for this full day private tour. Departing from Colonia we will first visit the birthplace of wine in Uruguay: "La Caléra de las Huérfanas" National Monument. The history of this place says, that during the XVIII century the Jesuits established in the north of the Province of Colonia in Uruguay, where they continued their mission and built the first buildings in 1741. This is where Indians, slaves, and priests would gather. After the Jesuits were expelled by the Spanish crown, Don Juan de San Martín took the administration of the estancia and found 1500 stocks of grapevine; this is how wine production was born in Uruguay.
After getting to know this important place in the history of the Uruguayan wines, we proceed to Carmelo where we will visit two wineries where you will enjoy a typical "asado" lunch (the traditional Uruguayan barbecue) Lunch also includes dessert, soft drinks or water.
Bodega Cordano is a small family-run winery which is led by Ana Paula Cordano and her family in the 5th Generation. Discover a unique place in our lands: “Almacén de la Capilla”, a vintage grocery shop founded in 1855 by Antonio Cordano, and still looking like these old days. After a warm reception there, you will get to know the production areas and enjoy a beautiful walk through the vineyards hearing the sweet sing of the birds. Winery visit includes the guided tour through the vineyards and production area, led by the winery owners themselves. After that, you will enjoy a wine tasting.
Bodega El Legado is a boutique family-owned winery located in the Carmelo area. The winery’s name, which means “Legacy” and it was chosen in honor of Luis Mazurca, who bought the land and planted the first grapevines, in the desire to make wine. Bernardo, his son, decided to continue the project and produce wines “not because of a family tradition in winemaking but fueled by a true passion in what we do”. Bodega El Legado not only refers to the material legacy but to The Legacy of passing toward the new generations the passion of the work and the love for the land. Winery visit includes the guided tour through the vineyards, wine cellar, and production area, led by the winery owners themselves.
After that, you will enjoy a taste of three different wines, accompanied by cheeses plate and olives. After the visits, we move back from Carmelo to Colonia del Sacraemnto.
(The selection of the wineries may vary due to availability and opening days, being replaced by similar option; as well the order of wineries visits can be changed due to operative or logistic reasons)