There are several Uruguay wineries when you visit this beautiful country. Some of them have been operated by the same family for generations, others are new and exciting projects, and the only thing these wineries have in common is the quality of their wines.

If you haven’t heard about wines from Uruguay, let me tell you, you’re missing out on some good wine. Red, white, rosé; it’s all amazing.

Tannat is the country’s better-known grape, the French variety renders rich, structured reds, and it has found a new home in the South American country. There are several in uruguay wineries that offer. Still, there’s something for every palate, from silky Pinot Noir to rich and creamy Chardonnay, from sea-scented Albariño to intensely flavored Bordeaux blends.

Here are Uruguay’s top wineries, their wines are all worth seeking out, and good luck with that! Because the secret is out, Uruguay is taking the world of wine by storm.

The year was 1998 when Paula Pivel y Alvaro Lorenzo set up a boutique winery in the gorgeous Sierra de la Ballena just a few miles from the coast. The views are impressive, but the wines even more so.

Merlot, Tannat, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah make the base for the layered red wines, and Viognier, the French aromatic grape, rounds up the selection.

The Lorenzo family walked a pebbled road but released their first bottles in 2007. Now their wines are available around the world.

Wines to try

Bodega Garzón, Punta del Este, One of the many Must-go Uruguay Wineries

Sustainable practices in both the vineyards and the winery have earned Bodega Garzón to be named the Best Winery in the New World by Wine Enthusiast Magazine in 2018.

The winery’s vineyards are blessed by the Atlantic breeze and are planted in some of the oldest soils on earth. Also, one of the world-wide awarded Uruguay wineries in the country.

Concrete fermentation tanks and oak vats allow Alejandro Bulgheroni and his talented team to make wines with little intervention for a quality that has placed the winery as the leading estate in local and foreign markets.

Wines to try

Bodega Jose Ignacio, Punta del Este

The renowned South African winemaker Hans Vinding Diers is behind José Ignacio’s terroir-driven wines made from Merlot, Pinot Noir, Tannat, Albariño and Chardonnay.

8.5 hectares of rolling vineyards are the source for the winery’s extraordinary mono-varietal wines. “Small winery making great wines” is José Ignacio’s motto, and they’re true to their word.

Wines to try

Bodega Pizzorno, Montevideo

One of the oldest Uruguay wineries, Pizzorno Family Estates dates back to 1910 and has taken care of 21 hectares of vines for four generations.

Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Malbec are only a few varieties in the estate’s repertoire. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and local varieties complete the collection.

The winery, in the Canelón Chico region near Montevideo, might be old, but their equipment is brand new. Today Carlos Pizzorno and his family run the winery and are gaining recognition worldwide.

Wines to try

Sacromonte, Maldonado

This winery has a spiritual retreat aura and has recently been recognized as one of the Greatest Places in the World by Time Magazine.

Five hectares of vines are tended like a garden by Edmond Borit and his team since 2014, but the larger-than-life estate covers 100 hectares of verdant vegetation in the Maldonado mountains.

Sacromonte is a wine destination and offers accommodation and a wide variety of outdoor experiences. Recognized for its viticulture but also its architecture, the estate was named Best Designed Hotel of 2018 by Surface Magazine, NYC.

Wines to try

Viña Edén, Punta del Este

Pueblo Edén is a small town in Maldonado regarded for its countryside feel and rugged terrain. More than a winery, Viña Edén is an experience with its own restaurant focusing on organic, local produce, and wine tastings every day.

The pebbly soils tended by the estate make the vines dig deep roots resulting in succulent grapes, which are then turned into wine in a gravity operating three-level winery of immeasurable beauty.

Wines to try

Bodega Bouza, Melilla

This family-owned winery has strong core values oriented to quality through small-scale productions.

With 78 years of history, the winery is at the forefront of innovation shown in the enormous range of wines, including Riesling and Tempranillo.

A collection of over 30 unique classic cars makes visiting the winery a unique experience that’s much more than exceptional wine.

Wines to try

Familia Deicas, Canelones

The Deicas family has their eyes fixed in bringing Uruguayan wine to the spotlight, and they achieve it with classic mono-varietal wines and unexpected blends.

Juan Carlos Deicas founded the winery in 1979 and helped pave the way to the new generation of winemakers in the country, setting the bar quite high.

Wines to try

Marchial, Canelones

The Marchial family has been making wine for 80 years through four generations. All their wines come from family-owned vineyards in Canelones, and they have a unique artisanal winemaking approach, from the vine to the bottle.

The family grows Tannat, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Semillon, and Sauvignon Blanc, and the vines are all blessed by the oceanic influence and cool nights.

Wines to Try

This list is just a drop in the bucket. For every winery on the list are dozens of hardworking grape growers and winemakers, giving it all to make the finest wines the blessed country can produce.

Pick one, anyone. When it comes to wine from Uruguay, there’s no wrong choice. Get to know the South American country’s wine and discover why it’s the ‘hidden gem’ everyone’s talking about.

There’s more, every winery in the country is open for visitors. Expect superb wine, delicious food, and a warm welcome, Uruguay’s wine country is waiting for you with open arms.