Ampelos
Region

Canelones

Maritime, humid

The department just north of Montevideo, where most of Uruguay's vines grow, and the home of its best-known Tannat.

Overview

About Canelones

Canelones surrounds Montevideo on the north and holds most of the country's vineyards. Its clay and limestone soils suit Tannat, and many of the oldest family wineries are here.

The humid Atlantic weather means growers must watch for rot, and so vineyard management is as important as the site.

Canelones is marked on the map.

Uruguay

Shaded: Canelones. Map units are states, provinces or départements, so a smaller place appears as the larger area that contains it.

The land

Climate & terroir

Climate

Maritime, humid

Mild, humid and windy, with the Río de la Plata and the Atlantic close by. Rain around harvest is the main risk.

Terroir & soils

What the vines grow in

Clay and clay-limestone soils, on low hills.

Go deeper

Rules, years & producers

  • Bouza

    A family estate near Montevideo, known for Tannat and Albariño.

  • Familia Deicas

    Juanicó; a large family estate for Tannat and Merlot.

  • Pisano

    Progreso; a family winery working with Tannat and old vines.

  • Marichal

    A small family winery in Canelones.

What's grown here

Grapes

Each grape's page links back here.