Uruguay tours – Private city tours of Montevideo, Colonia & Punta del Este
When you want to experience the best of Uruguay’s most emblematic cities—with a guide genuinely excited to personalise the tour just for you.
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Uruguay has just achieved an amazing two places—including the number two spot—amongst the world’s best wineries for 2019. A prestigious academy of almost 500 leading wine and travel experts ranked Garzón on the east coast of Uruguay second and Bodega Bouza, just ten minutes drive from Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital city, number 44.
That’s a great achievement for a country of just three million people where wine has been an essential part of daily life for centuries but the industry has only professionalised in the last thirty or so years.
We applaud Bodega Garzón for putting Uruguay on the wine map internationally. It’s a winery owned by an Argentine oil and gas magnate with the potential to export all over the world, FINALLY allowing all of you who are hungry to get your hands on a bottle of Uruguayan wine to do just that.
We admire the professionalism of Bodega Bouza, its great restaurant and excellent wines, an outstanding classic car collection and together its proximity to Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo, it’s a polished international wine experience that rightly has few rivals.
However here at Guru’Guay we believe that the most unforgettable travel memories are made when you are up close the real people living and working where you’re visiting, and we want to get you access to them.
These are wineries where you’ll be taken around by the owners or the winemakers themselves. Visits generally include plenty of time to sit together and get to know each other—and Uruguayan wine—over generous pours and locally-sourced appetisers.
We recommend wineries like Alto de la Ballena (above), the first winery to discover the terroir that is producing such amazing mineral wines for Garzón. At Alto de la Ballena, owner Paula Pivel personally takes you around their small winery overlooking the Sauce lake and the ocean in the distance.
Artesana is a small women-run winery, thirty minutes beyond Bodega Bouza. They are the first winery to introduce Zinfandel to Uruguay, their ruby red Tannat rosé is delightfully versatile and their exquisite four-course lunch is always limited to a handful of diners.
These are visits where you are the centre of attention and by appointment only. In Uruguay, these are winetastings that would be considered a VIP wine experience elsewhere.
Check out our ranking at Guru’Guay’s 20 best Uruguay wines. Hint, it includes all five wineries mentioned above.
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Uruguay tours – Private city tours of Montevideo, Colonia & Punta del Este
When you want to experience the best of Uruguay’s most emblematic cities—with a guide genuinely excited to personalise the tour just for you.
Montevideo tours – Tango, Football & the Carnival Whisperers
Your private Montevideo cultural tour and gateway to carnival, an authentic tango joint or a soccer match with a great local guide.
Cabaña Verónica – Great steak & Uruguayan asado
The Port Market—Disneyland for carnivores—is not to be missed but avoid tourist traps! At Verónica’s, you’re guaranteed great steak & Uruguayan asado.
Trekking in Uruguay – El Gavilán, Valle del Lunarejo nature reserve
Trekking, horseback riding, nature photography, birding in one of the most outstanding protected areas in Uruguay, Valle del Lunarejo.
Varela Zarranz – Uruguay wine history & sparkling wines
One of Uruguay’s oldest wineries, Varela Zarranz is just 50 min from the capital. Winner of 150+ awards, it’s famous for its sparkling wines.
Índica Beer – Great little Montevideo bar & brewery
Índica Beer is a friendly welcoming Montevideo bar and brewery making some of the best craft beer—particularly IPAs and German-style lager.
Uruguay Citizenship – It’s been 23 years but I’m finally applying!
It’s been a long time coming, and I’m so excited to finally be starting the process of applying for Uruguay citizenship.
How to get from the Montevideo airport to the city
The Montevideo international airport is 15 miles from the city centre. You can take a taxi, shuttle or bus. The most common way is private transfer.
Bodega Cerro Chapeu – Uruguayan wine legends
Led by a “winemaker legend”, Cerro Chapeu is a must-do Uruguayan wine destination. In the wild middle of nowhere, it is a shock to discover such an exciting, modern winery, say experts.
Caballos de Luz – Horseback riding in Uruguay sierras
This ‘million star’ B&B in the hills minutes from the coast offers exciting horseback riding & delicious vegetarian food.
A full half of all of the wineries in Uruguay are located in Canelones. These were founded often 4-5 generations ago by European immigrants.
Following a textbook harvest, experts and winemakers are heralding Uruguay wines of 2020 as some of the best in decades, reports sommelier Adriana Rossi.
One in every three bottles of wine produced in Uruguay is a Tannat. What does Uruguay’s flagship wine taste like? Here’s a guide to get started, by locals.
One in three bottles of Uruguay wine is a Tannat. Yes, Uruguayans LOVE this red. Nowadays there’s a Tannat for every occasion. We celebrate the Top Tannats.
Join us as we parachute in on a virtual visit to a Uruguay wine-maker. Harvest is just ending and there’s some feel good news, it’s the BEST in 40 years.
The host of this brand new travel show fell in love with Montevideo. The wine, soccer, carnival, food… so many things to do.
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2 Responses
Is there usually taxis/Uber available to visit a winery and then call a taxi to leave after a tasting? I don’t want to get stranded at a winery.
I’d really like to visit a few wineries in a day but not drive so me and my husband can both try the wines.
I was looking into cycling between wineries too but haven’t found much information.
All I have found is guided tour information but don’t really want to do that.
Thanks so much, this website is very helpful.
Hi Michelle, thanks for the kind words. If the website is helpful you’ll find The Guru’Guay Guide to Uruguay: Beaches, Ranches and Wine Country even more so! I go into detail regarding how to get to the wineries there. I really recommend not visiting more than two in a day. You’ll find out why here: https://www.guruguay.com/wine-tasting-uruguay-vs-napa/ All the best, Karen