Uruguayan Wine Guide
Uruguayan Wine Guide

Bodega Filgueira

Growing roots...

The beginning of the history of the Filgueira family in Uruguay can be traced back to the early twentieth century, with the arrival of Manuel Filgueira. With no legacy from his native Galicia other than tenacity and discipline, Don Manuel settles near the Santa Lucía river. Before long, he joins the fledgling local wine-growing activity and works a small plot of land for almost seven decades, turning in an artisan way the fruits of his vines into table wine of a very good quality, which he sells in bulk.
Thanks to this country's hospitality and his steady hard work, Don Manuel started a family and managed to give his son the academic training that he did not have himself. The family grew along with the vine, and so did the prestige of the Filgueira name as a byword for hard work and honesty. Such prestige is enhanced by the outstanding career of his son, Dr José Luis Filgueira, a cardiovascular surgeon with a worldwide reputation.

The difference begins with the grape

Filgueira Vineyards and Winery is an estate founded 80 years ago, located in the Southern region of the country wine-growing area, in the basin of the Santa Lucía River, close to the historic village of San Juan Bautista - currently Santa Lucía. On the shores of the river bearing the same name, the area is home to the family's vineyards.

Celler of the winery Filgueira

Those working at Casa Filgueira are people in love with wine and who put all their passion and enthusiasm into producing, growing, selecting, and sharing the best fruits of their work. In this way, a product of a singular quality is achieved through a selection of the best vines and a respectful treatment of the land, together with the implementation of technology and scientific rigour.

The journey of the grape

At Casa Filgueira, the winery is closely tied to the field. It is located at the heart of the vineyard, which allows the grape to get to the cellar in just a few minutes, in perfect conditions and at its right ripening point.
On the field, the gathering is done completely by hand and always by people from the company, following a special technique which allows it to reach the first selection table absolutely safely. The crates are never fully loaded, so as to prevent damage to the grapes, and are always washed before they are taken back to the field.
It is fair to point out that two tables are used in the selection process; one selection is made by bunch, the other is made grape by grape. In Uruguay, Casa Filgueira is the only one to use this technique, and this is reflected in the end quality. Then, each grape patch goes straight to a special stainless steel tank, after which it is time for the identification of wines not only by vine, but also by plantation area.

The company

Casa Filgueira is an organisation that can be likened to a clover, in which its first leaf is the vineyards and the others comprise the winery and the business area (administrative sector, sales, and marketing).
In order to stop this clover from losing its leaves easily, work has to be undertaken on the basis of standardised criteria. The search for the 2000 version of the ISO 9001 certification ushered in the systemisation of the working techniques and all the procedures with that aim. This process started two years ago, when a special quality-orientated team was set up. The certification of all the company was secured in June 2002.
In Santa Lucía, The Filgueira family conveys its spirit to the people working the vines in an artisan fashion, while also applying a scientific method.
The winery is run by Dr Martha Chiossoni de Filgueira; the technical aspects are taken care of by an Agronomist and eologist in the cellar and another Agronomist in the vineyards.
Production employs the services of a French adviser focused on all the aspects both in the cellar and on the field and in the craft of making wine. He comes over to Uruguay from France and works together with the rest of the team, who additionally keep in touch with him constantly.
Marketing overseas, a crucial area for the firm at present, is the responsibility of Mariana Filgueira, the founder's granddaughter, which helps keep the tradition and spirit of this company's driving force. Furthermore, she works by a specific programme designed by the Chamber of Industry, which gives counselling on national and international sales. Finance is the responsibility of Accountant Javier Riera, who has been related to the Filgueira family for many years.

The world as a horizon

The goal will be exports and the consolidation of ties with these new markets based on a strong link of trust, transparency, and reciprocal quality appraisal.
For this purpose, not only has a French specialist with an international track record joined the company, but constant training will also be implemented. With these targets in mind, production is planned annually for the following year, depending on the demand from lovers of such a singular wine. In this way, "Casa Filgueira" is facing with the same enthusiasm as ever the challenge of responding to the most demanding international trends in wine.

To the wines of the winery Filgueira you get here » »

obtained quality certificates:

Filgueira's Winery and vineyards was the first South American winery and is the only one in Uruguay that had obtained the ISO 9001 Version 2000 Quality Certificate in all its production structure: vineyards, winery, administration and sales.

Brandnames:

Fuga,Patio Sur, Casa Filgueira, Enigma, Estirpe

Location of the vineyards:

Ruta 81 Km 6,5, Cuchilla Verde, Canelones - 80 ha

Grapes:

Red: Tannat, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir

White: Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvigon Gris

Contact: