URUGUAY SPECIAL – PART VI: MARICHAL AND CASA FILGUEIRA WINERIES

In this sixth report of our trip, we will know more about Casa Filgueira and Marichal Wineries. In Filgueira’s case, we will know their wines since they had participated in the “Octavo Salón del Vino” in Concepción, year 2007, and we believe they are being progressing throughout time in their oenologic concept, being adapted to market requirements. On the other hand, the enterprising spirit of Juan Marichal is detected at once, that is why he was elected as the undertaking one of Endeavor Uruguay. Andes Wines from Uruguay.
MARICHAL WINERY

We visited around Las Violetas sector where Marichal is placed and we realised the great effort and care that family has had to work the vineyards, winery, and marketing of their wines, reaching to 250,000 produced bottles approx. besides table wine to internal market.

Tradition begins when Isabelino Marichal settled in Etcheverría area in 1910 and in that place he created the first variety of Tannat. 28 years later, he created a small golden wine cellar with underground fountains to get suitable wine conditions.

Since then, Marichal family set the importance of introducing specialized personnel: winemaking technicians ensuring the best wines with strong colours and forecasted structure and balance.

Craftsmanship in wine production has been transmitted to four generations, and in all of them the highest quality has been bet.

Currently, third and fourth generation is in charge of the company, having an international quality production.

Juan Andrés started his winemaking studies in Mendoza when he was 17 years old. After 5 years he graduated and initiated his work and specialization as a winemaker, driving him to lead the family business.

Vineyards’ location, 40 kilometres from the sea, weather with warm days and cool nights gives the suitable framework for grape harvest in order to be in the best development and expression conditions.

Harvested grapes are Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Merlot, Tannat, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon, Semillón and Pinot Noir.

Scandinavian market and specially the Finnish one are very important to Marichal, as they have managed to enter with a Sauvignon Blanc which has given them many opportunities that are being taken.

Nowadays, winery is focused on international markets trading their production in Brazil, Italy, Luxemburg, and Germany.

CASA FILGUEIRA WINERY

At the beginning of XX century, Winery bases were established in charge of Manuel Filgueira. Work was done in a reduced piece of land where grape were transformed using traditional methods into good quality table wine.

And that was the way how the prestige of Filgueira name was growing, synonymous of honesty and work which was consolidated with José Luis Filgueira’s performance, son of Manuel.

In 1992, he assumed the leading of Martha Chiossoni vineyard, José Luis’ wife, who gives new airs to the project, combining modern production techniques and traditional production process. All this resulted in company restructuring.

Wine production is made from own grapes and extraction does not exceed 8 tonnes per hectare, ensuring quality. In spite of the most modern production techniques, they continue with the essence of handmade work.

Casa Filgueira is located in the centre of the vineyard, enabling grape to be in a perfect condition and in the right point of ripening, in few minutes.

As a way of making the difference, Casa Filgueira bet in certifying under the ISO 14001:2000 standard, which gives clear outlines related to Environment Management.

Having excellent commercial relationships, Casa Filgueira Winery is open up to the Wine World. Their constant innovation and promptness to be in embassy tasting events abroad or international fair presentations different to traditional circle, as it was the “Octavo Salón del Vino” in Concepción, Chile.

85% of the production is focused on internal market and 15% on external market, proportion they wish to revert and this way reaching more markets.

Mexico DF, Brazil, North and South Ireland, Scotland, and England are some of the markets which Casa Filgueira’s wines are currently introduced.

Andes Wines Communications
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