Have you ever thought about discover Uruguay’s wineries? There are more than 100, which gives the country the reputation of being the Tuscany of South America.
And if until the other day wine tourism – that boring job of jumping from bodega to bodega on lazy afternoons – was not very developed, today the sector not only exists, but is also in high demand: at least 20% of Brazilian tourists include Uruguayan wineries on their vacation itinerary.
See too:
Travel itineraries through Argentina and Uruguay – 5, 7 and 12 days
Where to stay in Montevideo – hotel tips
There are nine producing regions spread across the country, from north to south. But, luckily for the tourist, six out of 10 Uruguayan bodegas are in Canelones, on the outskirts of Montevideo – it’s so close that you can take Uber or any mobility app.
If you’re in another corner of Uruguay, you might want to check out the local wine map. There are wineries open to visitors around Punta del Este, Colonia del Sacramento and even in Rivera, in the north of the country and on the border with Brazil.
When to go to Uruguay for wine tourism
To understand Uruguay’s climate, just think that the country, which is surrounded by the Atlantic and the Rio de la Plata, is completely within the 30 S and 35 S parallels.
This is the same latitude as some of the most famous wine producing regions in countries such as Argentina, Chile, South Africa and Australia.
Although the most diverse grapes have a place there, Uruguayan wine is Tannat.
The harvestgrape harvest time and beginning of wine production, It’s on February. In June there is the Tannat Festival, and in July and August it is time for the Pruning Festival.
Closing the special calendar is Wine Tourism Day, in November. But be sure to visit wineries at other times: I was there in January and the trip was really worth it. It is possible to do wine tourism in Uruguay all year round.
Uruguayan wineries: the regions
The most important wine production regions in the country are:
cannelloni
Canelones is the main vineyard area in Uruguay, concentrating 60% of wineries. It is just 30 km from the center of Montevideo.
Carmelo
In 2014, the New York Times said that Carmelo is a miniature of Tuscany. The nickname stuck, and there is no shortage of tourists visiting the bodegas in this department, which is located 240 km from Montevideo and 77 km from Colonia del Sacramento.
Maldonado
130 km from Montevideo and just 10 km from Punta del EsteMaldonado has seen new wineries appear every day.
Rivera
On the border with Brazil, Rivera is far from anyone who goes directly to Montevideo or travels along the coast. The tourist who arrives through center of Rio Grande do Sul, however, there are bodegas to visit.
Bodega Bouza
Alcohol and driving in Uruguay
Uruguayan laws are extremely strict when it comes to drinking and driving. If it’s by car, arrange for someone to be the driver for the round.
Another, more expensive alternative, is to purchase transport packages with agencies, which are offered in all hotels, or with the wineries themselves.
We went to and from the Canelones bodegas by Uber and had no problems – it’s a good idea to test and check prices on apps.
Are you going to rent a car in Uruguay?
First of all, keep in mind that Renting a car in Brazil and taking it to Uruguay may violate the rental company’s rules – and the company knows this, and can even lock your car via satellite as soon as you leave the country. That’s why, read the rules carefully before closing the rental.
Another option is to rent the vehicle already on Uruguayan soil. If you are going to do this, we recommend using Rent Cars, which searches among the main rental companies and helps you find the best prices and rental conditions.
Are you going by your own car from Rio Grande do Sul? Be sure to also read the text: Uruguay by car – complete guide to organize your trip
Uruguayan wine: step by step to plan visits
I’m not going to list the more than one hundred wineries in Uruguay, but just a few. Among them, the two that I visited and recommend.
Allow three to four hours for each winery. It’s also good to keep in mind that this type of tour it’s not cheap and, like many things in Uruguay, pYou can have the price stated in dollars.
And an important tip: Uruguay exempts foreign tourists from VAT, a 9% tax, in bars and restaurants. To do this, simply pay by card.
Those who pay with Visa see the discount immediately and take the smaller bill home; Those using Mastercard pay the total, but receive the tax amount back on the next invoice.
Some bodegas, which also function as restaurants, are registered to offer this discount to tourists. Please check this before paying in cash. It’s also worth checking out the bodega packages that not only include tastings and a guided tour, but also lunch.
5 wineries in Canelones, Uruguay
To find out about guided tours, tastings, times and prices, you can contact each winery – some of them serve via Whatsapp.
Another option is to choose and book directly through the Los Caminos del Vino website, an association that involves at least 20 Uruguayan wineries.
Pizzorno Family States
Small, completely family-run winery, to the point where you could bump into the owner at the door and be guided by one of the children – it happened to us.
It makes high quality wines in small quantities. At the end of 2018, the first wine tourism lodge in Canelones was opened there. We preferred to return to Montevideo after the tour, but it seemed like a good option for those who want to enjoy the area at leisure.
It is 24 km from the capital and the classic tasting costs 30 dollars. Official site.
Bodega Bouza
A new winery, created in 2003, but one of the best known to Brazilians – 100% of the visitors on our tour spoke Portuguese. The short distance to Montevideo, 20 km, is another facilitator for the visit.
It has a restaurant and the tasting room is full of vintage cars. The basic tour costs 35 dollars and is well served. Details on the website.
Juanicó Establishment
One of the best-known Uruguayan wineries and directly responsible for introducing the tannat strain to the country. There it is produced, among others, Don Pascual wine. For historical value, the winery is a National Monument of Uruguay.
The tasting costs 35 dollars, but there are also more elaborate tours, with lunch and transfer included. It is in Canelones, 46 km from Montevideo. Details on the website.
H. Stagnant
Less than 30 km from the Pocitos neighborhood, H. Stagnari is another traditional choice for wine tourism in Uruguay. The winery’s marketing ensures that the most awarded tannat in the world.
The price, however, is higher: wine and cheese tasting starts at 80 dollars and more complete experiences cost 100. Details on the official website.
Two vineyards in Maldonado and close to Punta del Este
Bodega Garzón – Photo: Ministry of Tourism of Uruguay/INAVI
Garzón Winery, Uruguay
Run by an Argentine family, Bodega Garzón is brand new – it opened in 2016. It’s beautiful, sustainable and a favorite with tourists.
It is no surprise that it was identified, at the end of 2018, as the best winery in the New World by the North American magazine Wine Enthusiast. It is 70 km from Punta del Este.
The tasting and guided tour costs 35 dollars. Official site.
Whale Heights
The closest to the beaches of Punta del Este, just 30 km away, and close to a lake, which makes the landscape beautiful.
It was created in 2001 and produces Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Viognier and Syrah wines, as well as the Tannat-Viognier blend. Reservations and prices by email at [email protected].
Two vineyards near Colonia del Sacramento
Narbonne
Just 15 kilometers from the center of Carmelo and 90 km from Colonia, Narbona is one of the most traditional wineries in this region – it is more than a century old.
The place, which is beautiful, also serves as a wine tourism inn. Details on the bodega website.
Irurti
Another century-old winery, Irurtia is still a family establishment – this is the fourth generation of producers, who are descendants of Spanish immigrants.
It is less than 5 km from the center of Carmelo and can even be accessed by bicycle. Reservations by email to [email protected].
Are you going to spend a few days in the region? See here for inns and hotels in the Carmelo region
Vineyard near Rivera, on the border with Brazil
Bodega Garzón – Photo: Ministry of Tourism of Uruguay/INAVI
Far from the coast and Montevideo, the Rivera region is only included in the itinerary of those who live in Rio Grande do Sul or pass through Ruta 5, which connects the city of the same name to the state capital.
Cerro Chapéu
The main winery there is Cerro Chapéu. She specializes in Tannat and has been awarded a few times for having an innovative project that uses gravity in the production of wines.
The winery is binational and has a foothold in Santana do Livramento, Brazil. The basic tasting costs 20 dollars and there are lunch options for 50. Details on the website.
Do I need travel insurance for Uruguay?
Not to go through immigration and enter the country. But having good insurance is essential to guarantee your security – physical and financial, in case of an emergency.
The good news is that travel insurance for Uruguay is usually very cheap and they hardly weigh on the budget. See the options below or read our text with travel insurance tips for South America.
Where can I find cheap tickets to Montevideo?
Expect to pay around 800 reais, round trip, for tickets to Montevideo if your flight is from São Paulo, Rio or Porto Alegre. The price rises in other cities, especially those further away.
