Terroir

Garzón – Maldonado

We were pioneers in the planting of vineyards in the Garzón area, in a valley with springwells. When exploring the soil for the first time, we discovered a very gravelly profile with good drainage, due not only to the ease with which rainwater permeated, but also because of the rapid runoff assisted by slopes on almost 25% of its topography.

When investigating its formation, we learned it was highly altered granite, created during a volcanic period one billion years ago and modified by various tectonic occurrences 530 million years prior, when the Sierra Ballena fault was generated. All subsequent climatic periods underwent by the planet: glaciers, winds, rains, and even desert periods, altered the rock until it disintegrated into small grains of gravel.

Once a temperate climate stabilized with consistent annual rainfall, plantlife again flourished, enriching the young soil with organic matter that added dark tones in the soil profile. The deep and low nutrient soil, along with the chilly nighttime temperatures during the harvest and breezes from the ocean located 22 km away, provide the ideal setting for the formation of polyphenols and aromatic compounds in the grapes. This creates elegant wines with the perfect balance of alcohol, acidity, fruit and floral notes.

When we designed the vineyard we made sure to respect the conservation of the abundant biodiversity of native plants and animals. Integrating the cultivation of the vine in perfect harmony with the ecosystem, we maintained all existing trees and plant communities, as well as promoted the installation of sporadic greenery in between the vineyard rows. To ensure coexistence with the various fauna, we protected the vineyard with a mesh and carefully contemplated where rainwater runs off to avoid soil erosion.