Patrimony Day 2024 celebrates Uruguay's winemaking legacy

Patrimony Day 2024, organized by the Ministry of Education and Culture, will be held under the theme “Wine as tradition: immigration, work and innovation”. This event will celebrate Uruguay's winemaking legacy, recognizing the notable contribution of two key figures in the history of this sector: Francisco Vidiella and Pascual Harriague. Both pioneers not only promoted viticulture in the country, but also laid the foundations of an industry that today positions Uruguay among the elite in the production of high quality wines.

The history of wine in Uruguay is deeply linked to immigration, which has been a key factor in its development. The first vineyards were planted by immigrants who brought with them European knowledge and techniques, and since then, the sector has witnessed a constant evolution. This tradition of family work, together with the innovation of recent decades, has led to Uruguayan wines being recognized worldwide for their quality and character.

With the Tannat grape variety as the undisputed symbol of local viticulture, known for its intensity and elegance, Uruguay has successfully entered the most demanding international markets. The Uruguay Wine brand, created under the umbrella of the sectoral brands of Uruguay XXI's Country Brand management, has played a key role in promoting Uruguayan wines abroad.

But the success of Uruguayan wines is not limited to Tannat. The national wineries produce a wide variety of grape varieties such as Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Albariño, which, thanks to Uruguay's particular climatic and geographical conditions -with clay soils and the influence of the Atlantic breeze-, offer unique wines with a distinctive character. This has allowed the country to be recognized as one of the world's leading wine regions, along with Argentina, Chile, South Africa and Australia.

In addition to the quality of its wines, Uruguay stands out for its innovation in product traceability. It is the first country in Latin America to have all its winemaking establishments geo-referenced, guaranteeing fully traceable production, which strengthens confidence in its products and reinforces its commitment to transparency and sustainability.

The 2024 edition of Patrimony Day offers an opportunity to learn about the country's winemaking heritage and how this legacy has evolved into a dynamic and competitive sector.

This October 5 and 6, the doors of wineries, museums and historic sites will be open to the public to share this history and celebrate wine culture as part of the country's identity.

Find out more about the Patrimony Day program here, available in Spanish.