Private Wine Tours in Uruguay

Today you will arrive in Montevideo (either at the airport or via ferry from Buenos Aires) and enjoy a comfortable, door-to-door private transfer to your hotel. Early check-in will be organized so you can settle into your room immediately and relax.

Welcome to Montevideo! Your hotel has the perfect location in the Pocitos neighborhood, very close to the beach, with many on-site amenities, including the excellent Polo Bamba bistro, a heated outdoor pool, and a rooftop skybar. The rooms are airy and bright, all with floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies. You will have a welcome bottle of Uruguayan wine waiting for you in your room, and today is an activity-free day to ease into your vacation.

For a casual wine-themed lunch today, we highly suggest the iconic VITI Bar de Vinos, the perfect place to get ensconced in the Uruguayan wine scene. They have over 100 wine labels on the list, with a main focus on local Uruguayan wines, of course. Look out for tasty bottlings from the likes of Bodega Cerro Chapeu, Bodega Las Garzas, Bodega Oceanica José Ignacio, Pablo Fallabrino, and Sacromonte. Food is casual and light- the main focus here is vino Uruguayo. At some stage during your stay in Montevideo, you must also try the national sandwich- the “chivito”.

Anthony Bourdain called it the “best sandwich in the world” when he visited. It is preposterously high, stacked with various meats, cheese, and BLT- decadent, and you can’t miss it. If you are jet-lagged, you might enjoy a refreshing coastal promenade walk this afternoon, just minutes from your hotel.

This morning, with your private local guide and driver, you will visit Montevideo’s most interesting locations and highlights. You will visit the ciudad vieja (old town) and Plaza Independencia (Independence Square). This plaza is the geographic and symbolic heart of Montevideo and is home to an impressive 30-ton statue of General José Gervasio Artigas, Uruguay’s national hero and the leader of the independence movement that shaped the nation in the 19th century. You will see the only remnant of the original Spanish fortifications, the Puerta de la Ciudadela, which once served as a gateway into the town.

Fun fact: when the city was expanding in the late 1800’s, the historic Spanish wall was dismantled and stored away. Then, in the 1950’s, the city officials put it back together, piece by piece, at its original location. Today, it is a reminder of the city’s Spanish foundation in 1724, to counter Portuguese expansion and colonization along the Rio de la Plata.

Your tour will continue with more fascinating landmarks and a scenic drive along the riverside (which feels more like seaside) La Rambla. The morning concludes with an intimate Candombe experience at the studio of Fernando “Lobo” Núñez, a renowned Afro-Uruguayan percussionist, offering a unique insight into Uruguay’s cultural roots and Carnival traditions.

Lunch is next, and on your own to enjoy some free time at the emblematic Mercado del Puerto, the old port market. This beautifully restored 1868 structure, with its soaring iron arches and stained glass, was built to support the massive port traffic and commerce in the city’s booming late 19th-century economy. Today, it is a “must” for food-loving visitors and locals alike. The market houses a wide array of grill counters and more formal restaurants, and the air is intoxicating with the mouthwatering aroma of meat “asado,” expertly cooked on the wood-fired parrillas.

After lunch, it’s just a 15-minute transfer back to your hotel, with free time to freshen up and rest before dinner.

This evening is fun, and you will sit down to an extravaganza of Uruguayan dishes paired with wines at cozy, brick-arched City Winery, only a five-minute transfer away. The owners coin the experience as a sensory journey; we call it delicious! Here is an example of the food and Uruguayan wine pairings you might taste here: Local fish crudo with Varela Zarranz sparkling Brut Nature; shrimp with caviar and Compañía Uruguaya de Vinos del Este Albariño; mushroom textures paired with Estela de Frutos Crono Folle Noir; slow-cooked lamb with Batoví Tannat from Cerro Chapeu; Wagyu with Bouza Monte Vide Eu – not to mention local cheeses and sweet bites. You will sleep well!

This morning, you will hit the road for the wine country surrounding Montevideo and Canelones, home to some of Uruguay’s most traditional family-run wineries and most with historic winemaking legacies. First up is Bodega Spinoglio, under an hour’s drive from your hotel. This wine estate is representative of everything that makes Uruguay’s wine country such a pleasure to visit- it’s family-run, they have a deep sense of their European roots (in this case, Italian), and the hospitality here is always warm and sincere.

Luigi Spinoglio, originally from Piedmont in Northern Italy, arrived in Uruguay in the late 1800’s and instilled in his family a love of wine and a wine culture. Two generations later, his grandson, Angel, took over the currently-named Spinoglio winery, which had been established in 1898 by José Campomar. And so began the new era of Bodega Spinoglio, run today by fourth-generation family member Diego Spinoglio.

Enjoy a private guided visit of the historic underground cave, learning about the evolution of Uruguayan wine production through the decades. Then sit down in the lush, vineyard-facing garden for a premium wine tasting featuring five select top labels, with casual yet thoughtful food pairings at their excellent on-site restaurant.

On the five-minute drive to the next wine experience, you will cross into the Canelones wine zone, Uruguay’s main wine-producing region, where more than half of the country’s wine is made. Most of the wine estates here have 19th-century Italian and Spanish roots and were founded when the area was easily accessible from Montevideo’s port by horse and carriage, facilitating wine sales and exports.

You will visit Pizzorno Family Estates and also have the pleasure of staying here for the next two nights. Established in 1910, the estate is now in its fourth generation, led by Carlos Pizzorno. They have created a small, intimate wine resort where you will be hosted by the family themselves and taste their wines on-site. Rather than a hotel, you are indeed staying at an active winery with the owners, and the experience is truly memorable. Settle in, freshen up, and before your wine-tasting dinner, you will visit the wine cellars.

Homemade dishes at their on-site restaurant reflect the family’s Northern Italian origins, such as Cappelletti pasta stuffed with squash and blue cheese (paired with Pizzorno Reserva Tannat and Merlot) and Tiramisú (served with their sparkling wine).

Today, you have a delightful wine and olive oil tasting excursion from Pizzorno. This morning, you will travel east to Maldonado, one of the most exciting wine regions in the country. With its cool nights, granite-rich soils, quartz-filled vineyards, and marine breezes, this coastal Atlantic region is producing highly lauded, minerally wines that many wine journalists consider among the “Grand Crus of South America”.

First stop: Alto de la Ballena, pioneers of this emerging fine wine region. In less than thirty years, owners Paula Pivel and Alvaro Lorenzo have certainly helped place Maldonado on the international wine map. Their terroir is recognized as exceptional, and they are making terrific wines which you will have the chance to taste on a private tour. The range is wide, and we would suggest their fragrant Viognier, their surprising blend of Tannat and Viognier, and their seductive CETUS Syrah. Their Merlot reserva is also lovely. And their introduction of the Spanish Godello grape to their repertoire is extremely interesting.

Carry on to lunch at an atmospheric olive grove, Olivos de las Ánimas. This super high-quality olive oil producer cultivates olives such as Arbequina, Coratina, and Picual, many of which are organic and all of which are produced with a focus on sustainable, circular production. This is an amazing property and project, and on a relaxed, private tour with owner Martín, you will learn all about the production of their extra-virgin olive oil and its health benefits. Indeed, the benefits are many, including anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and heart-healthy effects. This is a really warm and authentic local experience that you will no doubt enjoy.

In the late afternoon, then, head back to your vineyard resort for a free evening to dine onsite on your own.

What a treat you have in store today at a short half-hour spin- an incredibly pleasurable food and wine experience at the highly acclaimed and awarded Bouza winery. One of Uruguay’s most renowned boutique wineries, the family (Bouza) is of Galician descent and was the first to plant the now-ubiquitous Albariño in Uruguay, which has proved to thrive here, as the climate and terroir have much in common with Galicia in northwest Spain. The focus at Bouza is on small-scale, high-quality wine production. The visit here is polished and a nice contrast to the more casual wine experiences so far. After a tour of the winery and cellars, sit back and relax over a wine-soaked multi-course lunch.

Your lunch will feature their signature wines served with seasonal cuisine and local flavors. A sample food and wine pairing could include, for example: Estate Riesling with Black River caviar; Bouza Chardonnay Pan de Azúcar, with Nordic style marinated salmon; Pinot Noir from their Espinas estate paired with beef tenderloin tartare with cured egg yolk and layered potato mille-feuille; their flagship wine Monte Vide EU served with a roast meat centerpiece with veggie skewers and (Catalan) Romesco sauce. Conclude with their spectacular Tannat A8! Before you leave, visit their fun vintage car and vintage motorcycle collection, some of them dating back to the 1920’s.

After lunch, you might very well enjoy a siesta on the transfer westwards to the Carmelo wine area. Named after its namesake charming riverside town, this area is sometimes referred to as the Tuscany of Uruguay for its abundant vineyards, historic estates, and tranquil rural landscapes. You are staying at a marvelous little wine resort, Narbona Wine Lodge.

Set on a respectfully restored Uruguayan Estancia ranch, this rustic-chic property comprises just five suites. On-site, you have their historic winery dating back to 1909, as well as a new, state-of-the-art winery seamlessly integrated. They have an artisan working dairy on the premises and a cozy farm-to-table dining space. Your views are of vineyards and soothing countryside. The evening is yours to dine onsite and enjoy a bottle of wine on the terrace as the sun sets.

Enjoy a late pick up today so you can sleep in or linger over a long breakfast. Mid-tour, we find our guests really appreciate having some free time to chillax. Today is all about “slow travel” and Uruguayan rustic comfort food. You will visit a small, family-run farmstead, where you will spend a convivial few hours learning to cook traditional Uruguayan dishes like empanadas and dulce de leche pancakes while sipping delicious wines. The recipes are delicious and easy to replicate at home, and your hosts are extremely hospitable. Should a cooking class not appeal, alternative activities in the area include, of course, more wine tasting and/or spa treatments and massages at a nearby spa resort.

This evening, before dinner on your own, you will enjoy a private wine and cheese tasting extravaganza in the inviting old wine cellar on-site. Narbona produces award-winning, artisanal European-style cheeses right on the property, including Morbier, Parmesan, Camembert, Brie, Provolone, Raclette, Reblochon, and traditional Colonia cheese. You will taste a range of these delectable cheeses, paired with estate wines such as their Albariño, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and their top-tier Narbona Luz de Luna, made with 100% Tannat.

You likely won’t be starving after this, but if you like, you can enjoy a light supper at their on-site restaurant or continue on to the terrace for another glass or two of wine. You will thoroughly enjoy one last magical evening here.

For the rest of your stay on this very special tour of Uruguay, you will be staying in Colonia del Sacramento, an idyllic Unesco World Heritage town. On the way there today, you have some wonderful wine tours to look forward to, along with a spot of culture.

Your day begins in Calera de las Huérfanas, considered the birthplace of wine in Uruguay. Founded by Jesuit priests in the 1700’s, this “estancia” (South American ranch) housed a veritable tiny hamlet. They built a church whose evocative chapel ruins you will visit, and they planted grapevines to make wine (the varietals had most likely arrived in Latin America a century earlier, originally from Spain, and had then been cultivated in various Jesuit missions throughout the continent). The settlement housed a bakery, a blacksmith, a carpenter, animals, corrals, living quarters, and vegetable gardens. It’s impressive to see and imagine their 18th-century lives here.

By mid-morning, you will be ready for wine tasting. First stop: Bodega El Legado. The story behind this estate is poignant and inspiring. The estate’s origins date back to the late 1960s, when founder Luis Marzuca acquired farmland outside Carmelo with the hope of one day establishing a winery. Those plans were interrupted by Uruguay’s economic turmoil in the early 1980s, which forced the family to part with much of the property. More than twenty years later, his family was able to repurchase part of the property and finally bring Luis’s vision to life. The winery’s name, El Legado (“The Legacy”), pays tribute to that perseverance and the family’s enduring connection to the estate.

El Legado remains proudly family-owned and run, with a focus on quality over quantity. Production is deliberately limited, allowing close attention to every stage of the winemaking process. The vineyards are planted primarily with Tannat and Syrah, varieties that thrive in the region and provide the foundation for the winery’s portfolio. What genuinely distinguishes El Legado, however, is the hospitality. Guests are often greeted by members of the Marzuca family themselves, and the experience feels personal and unhurried. Rather than a cold, overly commercial feel, a tasting here has the atmosphere of being invited into a family home, where stories, wines, and hospitality are shared with equal generosity. You will taste their wines alongside local salamis, cheese, and olives.

Your Uruguayan wine experience concludes at Bodegas y Viñedos Cordano, also known as Almacén de la Capilla (which means Chapel Warehouse). The name refers to the general store established in the early 20th century across from a chapel by the second generation of the Cordano family, who had arrived from Genoa, Italy, in the mid 1800’s, and were the first to plant vineyards in the area.

Today, the shop is their wine tasting hub and is super adorable and quirky. On this visit, you will be hosted by the gregarious fifth-generation descendant, Ana, and her husband, Diego. They make two lines of wines with high-quality wine grapes such as Tannat, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Moscatel de Hamburgo (which despite translating as “Muscat of Hamburg”, actually has nothing to do with Germany but rather with England where the grape varietal was created in the mid 1800’s by crossing crossing Schiava Grossa/Trollinger with Muscat of Alexandria.) Lunch here will be homemade and convivial, with estate wines of course.

After a great day, it’s only a ten-minute drive to your boutique hotel in Colonia del Sacramento. Your utterly dreamy little haven of a hotel is tucked into the riverside, in the old town overlooking the Rio de la Plata. The evening is yours, and you are steps from everything.

Your last day of touring in Uruguay will be slow-paced and easygoing, with some morning strolling and sightseeing, a great lunch, and the afternoon at leisure to pack, rest, shop, and relax. In the late morning, your local guide will meet you and bring you on an unhurried walk around the old town of this marvelous colonial town. Colonia del Sacramento changed hands between Spain and Portugal multiple times in the 1700’s, and even briefly belonged to Brazil in the 1820s, before Uruguay gained full independence in 1828.

It’s an artsy town that feels like Europe, with its cobblestoned streets, red-tiled rooftops, historic churches, and quaint cafés. You will see lovely spots like the famous lighthouse (“Faro”) of Colonia, an iconic landmark; the pretty “street of sighs” (Calle de los Suspiros), a darling, narrow lane which seems to have been trapped in the 17th century; and you can grab some photos at the beach if you like.

After an extremely pleasant morning, settle into a stylish lunch at Bohemia, the best little contemporary and upscale yet shabby chic restaurant in town. Sit outside on the waterfront terrace and let your servers pamper you with Uruguayan homemade pasta, fresh fish, premium meat plates, and seasonal vegetables- all served with considered wine pairings. It is then a whopping one-minute walk to your hotel. The afternoon and evening are yours with our suggestions. The sunsets here are jaw-dropping!

At your preferred time, you will be transferred to your next port of call or tour extension, be it Montevideo or Buenos Aires. If you wanted to extend your trip, we highly recommend Argentina, which is perfectly logistically convenient and a fabulous destination for wine lovers as well (Mendoza, Salta, etc.). We can also arrange a few days of coastal luxury at the fabulous Estancia Vik in José Ignacio to help you relax before you depart home.

We hope you had a supremely enjoyable time on this food-and-wine luxury wine journey through Uruguay!