Terroir

Juanicó – Canelones

After the accumulation of dust (a silt called loess), transported by the wind in a dry, cold climate of the Tertiary Period, which later evolved to a humid climate with abundant vegetation and large herbivorous animals, another change occurred which restored dry, cold conditions, with glacial periods and a decrease or even disappearance in vegetation.

During this time, approximately 2 million years ago, the Quaternary Period and Pleistocene Epoch began. Reappearance of humid conditions lead to rain erosion which pulled the sedimented silt down from the Tertiary Period in the form of mud, sporadically depositing it in heterogeneous layers known as “mudstone”.

The current day Brunisolic soils were formed on this prehistoric, inert soil, rich in “illite” clay, with various types of calcium carbonate and even tiny gypsum crystals, subjected to a climate of consistent annual rainfall, average temperatures of 17°C (63°F), hot, arid summers and winters that are mild but varied in temperature. The formation of the present day soils can be attributed to the recolonization of plants that enrich the profile with organic matter, giving it the dark tones that we see today. Additionally, the clays in the soil wash away and percolate with the rainwater, accumulating at a depth of 20 to 30 cm (argillic horizon).

A gently undulating relief. 25 km from the sea. Studying these properties, we discovered favorable dispositions for many grape varieties. This includes high water retention capacity which fosters the plants’ ability to withstand the strenuous atmospheric demand of summer, uniformly nourishing the vine and sustaining balanced foliar development. Therefore, there is high potential for the production of primary elements of photosynthesis such as sugars, while also strengthening a secondary metabolism such as the production of aromas and polyphenols, creating wines renowned for their high quality, intense tannins and excellent cellaring capacity.