Tuscany in Uruguay, Viña Edén and Garzón, two successful wine tourism projects in Punta del Este

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Design studios, high-caliber chefs, and a rural setting that counterbalances beach life make up the exclusive offerings of two wineries in the east.

Leading business people, top studios, and top chefs support the wine and oil tourism that is consolidating in the outskirts of Punta del Este.

Read also: Check out our coverage on Uruguay

They are no longer an escape for dull days during the vacations but solid proposals based on the good life. Whether inactive form (trekking or biking), picnic, or multi-level menu, the important thing is not to miss the tasting.

VIÑA EDÉN
Luxury wine tourism

At the 26th kilometer of Route 12, 40 km from Punta del Este, rises the striking building of the Viña Eden Winery, owned by a Brazilian couple who came to Uruguay in search of a new life.

When Mauricio Zlatkin and Rosane Arkader saw the mineral soils and oceanic influence of the Pueblo Eden region, they realized they had terroir comparable to France’s Champagne region, perfect for wine production.

So the enterprising couple took on the challenge of being first-generation winemakers. They visited dozens of wineries worldwide and in 2009 planted Tannat, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Marselan, and Chardonnay vines they had brought with them from France.

In 2016, the wine restaurant developed by Fábrica de Paisaje, a Montevideo studio specializing in industrial installations, opened.

The structure on the slopes of Cerro Negro combines glass, Corten steel, and local stone and generates all its energy with solar panels and wind turbines. The three-stage, the high-tech concept has won international awards and aims to use gravity to move the grapes and must through the stages of winemaking.

In this long and dedicated production process, Viña Edén has already launched 16 labels, with two more – a Marselán and a Pinot Noir – to be released in the coming months.

Viña Edén’s top wines include the multi-award winning Sur Lies sparkling wine, made using the champenoise method, as well as the white and rosé Brut Nature; the white Chardonnay, recently named Uruguay’s best wine; the Tannat Cemento, fermented and aged in Italian concrete tanks; and the winery’s signature red Cerro Negro Gran Reserva, a blend of Merlot, Marselán and Tannat.

In addition to guided tours of the vineyards and modern facilities, visitors can enjoy lunch on the restaurant terrace with its mesmerizing panoramic views or picnic in the shade of the centuries-old native trees. In season, yoga and meditation classes are offered on the vineyard. Pets are welcome.

From US$15 for a tour of the winery, US$115 for a three-course tasting menu. www.vinaeden.com

GARZÓN
Sensory Journey

In 2011, Alejandro and Bettina Bulgheroni imagined a small Tuscany in Uruguay. Thus, the boutique Colinas de Garzón, surrounded by 500 hectares of olive trees from Italy, Spain, France, Israel, and Argentina. Today it is the producer of the most awarded extra virgin olive oil in the neighboring country.

The visit consists of a tour of the olive groves and the factory, as well as the tasting of three oils: the green Bivarietal, a blend of Coratina and Arbequina; the golden Trivarietal, which combines Coratina, Barnea, and Picual; and the red, the Italian cut, which integrates Frantoio and Leccino. The tasting is accompanied by country bread, cheese, and olives.

A few kilometers further north – the estancia covers about 5,000 hectares – you will reach the prestigious Bodega Garzón, ranked fourth among the five best wineries in the world. Opened in 2016, it is nestled in the mountains and offers breathtaking panoramic views.

The modern building is LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) and 100% self-sustainable. In addition to a tour of the growing areas and vineyards, the time includes tasting the most exclusive wines, including the Tannat and Albariño varietals and the iconic Balasto 2018, a blend of Tannat, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Marselan from the Reserva line.

These are wines of excellent quality that, in the words of Alejandro P. Bulgheroni, reveal “a great personality and a strong sense of place.”

The restaurant offers a small menu matched to the winery wines, created by chef Ricki Motta under the supervision of Francis Mallmann, culinary director. You can also book a picnic in the vineyards with a ride on an electric bike or a tour that combines olive oil and wine.

There are also walks with binoculars to observe birds and wildlife. Ideal for a day trip with children. Book in advance. www.bodegagarzon.com

Lunch US$65. Wine tourism programs (picnics, hikes, cooking classes) are offered Friday through Sunday.

With information of La Nacion