San José

Overview

San José sits between Canelones and Colonia in southern Uruguay, often overshadowed by its larger neighbors yet historically significant in its own right. It is the country's fourth-largest wine-producing area, with a landscape of fertile plains and low hills surrounded by rivers. The Sierra de Mahoma, a schist outcrop in the department, has become a particularly exciting source of distinctive, mineral wines.

The climate is similar to Canelones, with mild temperatures moderated by surrounding waterways and reliable rainfall. Fertile clay-loam soils dominate the plains, while the Sierra de Mahoma offers vertical schist and boulder-strewn slopes with excellent drainage. Tannat leads plantings, with Cabernet Franc and other reds also performing well on the varied terroirs.

Key Varietals

• TannatThe dominant red, producing structured wines with savory depth and firm tannins.
• Cabernet FrancA fragrant red that thrives on the schist slopes of Sierra de Mahoma.
• MerlotA softening variety that brings plum and berry richness to San José blends.
• ChardonnayA fresh white that develops citrus and mineral notes in the mild maritime climate.