In 1973, Quico Carrau Pujol, in collaboration with the University of California Davis, began the search for a terroir to plant vines in South America. After going through and analyzing different soils in the South of Brazil and North of Uruguay, they found this property in Rivera, Cerro Chapeu, situated 250m above sea level with a Continental climate and great thermal amplitude. The soils are of alluvial origin from volcanic materials washed over millions of years that formed very deep reddish sediments rich in iron, with great depth and good drainage. In 1997 the current winery was constructed inside of a hill to achieve a multi-level, gravity flow winery that minimizes the manipulation of musts through the winemaking process.
Today, the estate comprises 40 hectares of sustainably farmed vineyards which are surrounded by 220 hectares of meadows and mountains where natural flora and fauna are preserved. Sheep are raised & integrated into this environment and recycle the natural pastures of the vineyard, increasing the health of the soil, its microbiota and its microfauna biodiversity. The winery also works with more than 200 bee hives for the pollination of the vineyard, which ensures the quality of the fruits and further increases diversity of microbiota. No artificial irrigation is used and the natural semi-emergent water from the Guaraní Aquifer (2nd largest known aquifer in the world) that is used for the hygiene of the winery is recycled in a pine forest and in the composting processes of the pomace and other solids.
Pia Carrau represents the 10th generation winemaker of her family and is also the GM of the winery. Her family began making wine in Catalunya, Spain over 200 years ago and the family has continued the winemaking tradition in Uruguay for the past three generations. Pia’s objective is to seek sustainability and balance with the environment in each business decision, from the vineyard to the packaging of the product. The winery uses recycled materials for its labels and boxes. Natural corks and inks, wooden barrels from FSC-certified forests, and minimal weight eco-glass bottles are also important implementations for the packaging process.
Pia is most passionate about the “Folklore” wines she crafts within the brand. The labels of these wines represent a collaboration with Ambá and their “Rewilding Uruguay” initiative, and with artist Nicolás Sánchez. $1 of each bottle sold is contributed to this initiative. All labels depict animal species found in Uruguay and are meant to “make us rethink our place in this jungle”.