LATITUDE
LONGITUDE
subregions
The Metropolitan region is located on Uruguay, the second smallest country of South America. It includes the departments of San Jose, Canelones and a small portion of Montevideo.
According to an INAVI report, in 2022, this wine region had 962 vineyards, which were distributed as follows:
In the Metropolitan wine region, the most common grapes on the red side are Tannat and Merlot, while on the white side the most common grapes are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier.
Vineyard Hectares
WINERIES
The Metropolitan wine region, located in Uruguay, sprawls across the departments of San José, Canelones, and Montevideo. Its landscape is characterized by gently rolling hills and fertile plains, providing an ideal environment for vineyards to thrive. Vast stretches of vineyards blanket the terrain, interspersed with patches of woodlands and small streams meandering through the countryside.
The climate is temperate, with warm summers and mild winters, creating ideal conditions for grape growing. The land is meticulously cultivated, with rows of grapevines that span the undulating landscape. As you travel the region, you'll encounter mesmerazing views of vineyard-covered hillsides against the backdrop of clear blue skies.
The Metropolitan wine region offers a serene and idyllic setting for both wine production and leisurely exploration.
The Metropolitan wine region of Uruguay, which is the second smallest South American country, features a climate well-suited for viticulture, influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Rio de la Plata. The region experiences moderate temperatures that help maintain the balance of natural acidity in grapes, essential for the production of high quality wines. This temperate maritime climate, with its warm summers and mild winters, is similar to the climate of regions like Bordeaux, making it very suitable for a range of grape varieties.
The soils in this region vary but predominantly consist of loamy and clayey types, which are known for their good fertility and drainage, providing ideal conditions for vine health and not excesively vigorous growth. The oceanic influence moderates temperatures, which is particularly beneficial for controlling the ripening of grapes, maintaining their aromatic intensity.
This unique combination of climate and soil in the Metropolitan wine region supports the successful cultivation of a great range of grapes, from Tannat to Sauvignon Blanc. allowing it to slowly gain more and more recognition.
The Metropolitan wine region of Uruguay boasts a diverse range of soil types that are key to shape the characteristics of its wines. The variety of soils in this region provides a fertile ground for different grape varieties, and contribute to the unique terroir of the area.
These soil types contribute significantly to the viticultural success of the Metropolitan wine region, offering a dynamic and supportive environment for growing a diverse array of grape varieties.
Because the wine industry in Uruguay is relatively young, the Metropolitan region does not yet have regional sustainability programs. However, the region receives incentives from the Sustainable Viticulture Program, developed by the National Institute of Viticulture (INAVI).
This program seeks to guarantee both the origin and traceability of the grapes used for wine production, to ensure that all grapes are produced using sustainable practices.
Among the practices assessed by this program are:
It should be clarified that this program also certifies wineries, although it only assesses whether or not grapes from certified vineyards are used.
The Metropolitan wine region of Uruguay enjoys a unique combination of coastal influences and urban proximity that is very conducive to viticulture. This region is known for growing a variety of grapes, including Tannat, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier, each of which thrives under the distinctive terroir of this region.
These grapes, coupled woth other grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, show the great diversity of the Metropolitan viticultural landscape.
The Metropolitan wine region of Uruguay is celebrated for its exceptional wines, that reflect the great potential of the new world wine regions. Among the wines produced here, Tannat and Chardonnay stand out as the signature red and white wines from this region, each offering unique tasting experiences that have captivated wine enthusiasts globally:
The history of the Metropolitan wine region begins at the same time as the rest of the regions of Uruguay (end of the 18th century). However, this region had to wait until the end of the 19th century to achieve real development. During that time, a good part of the vine plantations appeared in the area, first in the department of Canelones and then in Montevideo and San Jose.
Although viticulture was developed in the three departments, it had a greater impact in Canelones. This explains why, in 2022, Canelones had the largest planted area (3882 ha), being the department with the largest area devoted to viticulture in Uruguay. At the regional and national level, Montevideo was in second place, with 720 ha, while San José was in third place at the national level, with 407 ha. This reflects the great importance of the Metropolitan region for Uruguayan viticulture.
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