Alto de la Ballena
LOCATION
Western Punta del Este
PRODUCTION
30,000 bottles per year
SIGNATURE BLEND
Tannat-Viognier
Breathtaking landscape awaits
Located in the western outskirts of Punta del Este is Alto de la Ballena. The vineyard and winery holds touristic appeal due to its beautiful landscape that makes up Sierra de la Ballena, a low range of hills that reaches the estuary of Rio de la Plata. On the northern part, rolling hills surround the vineyards.
The place is filled with vines from varieties such as Syrah, white Viognier, Tannat, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Alto de la Ballena’s signature blend is the unusual Tannat-Viognier, which was created by proud owners Alvaro and Paula Pivel. The place where the picturesque winery sits was purposefully chosen to have the perfect terroir. This means the soil and climate are ideal to grow great quality vines.
The scenic grounds are the perfect place to observe dreamy sunsets and forget your troubles for a while. Its charm lies in its sophisticated simplicity. In Alto de la Ballena, forget about staying indoors in a tasting room. You will be able to sample their amazing variety of wines on their west-facing deck. Therefore, it’s perfect to enjoy the panoramic views of the remote lagoon, trees, and grazing cattle. In a breathtaking location like this, less is more. It’s the ideal place to disconnect and get in touch with nature.
Nature is very important for owner Alvaro, who is a wine expert. The most interesting part is that he started as something completely different. Alvaro used to work as a lawyer while his wife Paula, worked in a bank. One day, they decided to make a change in their lives. In 1998, Paula and Alvaro decided to open a small winery in Maldonado, in the southeast part of Uruguay. They weren’t particularly experienced in the area but they worked hard. They focused on research to find an ideal place to open the vineyard. In 2000, they bought almost 20 hectares of land in Sierra de la Ballena. Today, they produce 30,000 bottles of wine per year. Their goal is to double that production and stay on that number. After all, quality is more important for them than quantity. Currently, their wines are sold at gourmet stores and restaurants all over the country as well as in Brazil, Mexico, and Sweden.
Visit Anytime
OPEN YEAR ROUND
Uruguay has a long wine tradition dating as far back as the XIX century. It’s one of the biggest wine-producing countries on the market and considered South America’s wine boutique. The region of Maldonado, where Alto de la Ballena is located, has a promising future in wine-making. Many years after Alvaro and Paula opened Alto de la Ballena, a lot of ventures have emerged in the region. Especially at Sierra de Carape, Colinas de Garzon, Sierra de las Animas, and around Pueblo de Eden. They’re family-owned businesses that allow Maldonado to be associated with the best wines in the country.
In Alto de la Ballena, the vines grow on sunny hillsides made of rocky soils with good drainage and fragments of calcareous rocks. At night, the grapes receive the fresh breeze from the Atlantic Ocean and the nearby lagoon, the Laguna del Sauce. During visits, you will be able to walk through the vineyards, and then enjoy a fantastic tasting accompanied by a selection of regional cheese and olive oil. You will also visit the winery where you’ll be able to learn the process of how the wine is made. It’s important to note that Alto de la Ballena is open year-round. So, don’t hesitate and come to experience the peaceful atmosphere surrounded by natural beauty, near the stunning Laguna del Sauce and the paradisiacal Punta del Este.