Uvairenda winery is one of the best known quality wine producers in the Samaipata valley of Bolivia’s Santa Cruz wine regions. Started by Bolivian born, US-based entrepreneur Francisco Roig following years of studying the different wine regions of Bolivia, this family winery chose the steep slopes of Samaipata where they can harvest rain water and take advantage of the breezy position. Their wine label, 1750, includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat, Syrah and Torrontés, all coming from their vineyards located at 1,750m altitude.

 

About Uvairenda & Vinos 1750

Although the Santa Cruz valleys were historically planted with grapes, we can consider Francisco Roig one of the modern pioneers of the Samaipata valley – establishing the first premium winery focused on exports in the region following his first experimental plantings in 2004.

Bolivian-born but US-based, Roig is a successful entrepreneur and decided that he wanted to give something back to his native home by establishing a business there which would generate income and work for the local community. Following an extensive study of Bolivia’s wine regions, he settled on the hills of Samaipata because of the unique microclimate.

“What I like about the character of the wines from the Santa Cruz valleys is that you get this expression that reminds you of walking in the mountains — with the chilly wind of Samaipata,” says Roig. “The high altitude gives the wine a cool climate expression, but they have this intensity of flavour from the solar exposure, combined with a good alcohol level. Samaipata has a climatic influence you don’t get in other valleys in Bolivia.”

 

About the vineyards

With altitudes spanning 1700 to 1800 metres above sealevel, the average altitude (1750) is where the wines took their name. Although the altitude isn’t the only important distinguishing characteristic of Uvairenda’s vineyards: the site was also selected for its poor soils which have a combination of slate, sandstone, limestone and clay. 

Planted on terraces on an east-facing slope, the vineyards experience good airflow with breeze ventilating the vine rows and take advantage of the morning sunlight. Varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat, Syrah, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Merlot for red wines, and Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay for white wines.

The team also source some old vines of Pedro Giménez from a neighbour for their single-varietal Pedro Giménez dry white wine.

The grapes are all hand-harvested and vineyard management is sustainable with no use of herbicides in the vineyard.

In this interview, I speak with Darren Armstrong (who worked for Chufly Imports, the US importer of Vinos 1750) about the unique microclimate in Samaipata:

 

About Vinos 1750 and Uvairenda wines 

The focus of Vinos 1750 is to make fruit-forward and refreshing wines with white, red and rosé in the collection.

The winery currently produces a varietal Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pedro Giménez, Torrontés and Syrah rosé, which are all made by their long-standing winemaker María Eldy.

The wines are currently exported to the US, France, Chile and Luxembourg.

 

Visiting Uvairenda winery

Just a short walk from the centre of Samaipata, Uvairenda winery and vineyards are open for tastings and a tour of the vineyard and boutique winery, often with the winemaker María Eldy.

You can try the full range of Vinos 1750 and order a plate of charcuterie so you can linger for longer in the gardens and enjoy the view over the valley and vineyards.

 

Video of Uvairenda Tannat harvest

 

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