1745

THE JESUITS: WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

In the southern part of the Canelones department, the Juanicó Estate occupied the historic plot No. 12,132, which largely belonged to the former Chacra San José Ranch, also known as Estancia La Calera. This property was acquired by the Jesuits prior to 1745, becoming a supply center for the religious community, catechized Indigenous people, and their families.

1830

GENESIS OF A WINERY

The property was acquired by Don Francisco Juanicó, a Menorcan immigrant from Mahón, who partnered with Don André Cavaillon. Under the stewardship of Don Francisco and his descendants—particularly Cándido Juanicó—the estate experienced a remarkable period of growth, including the cultivation of vineyards that laid the foundation for its winemaking legacy.

1945

FIRST COGNAC PRODUCTION IN URUGUAY

As a gesture of gratitude for Uruguay’s cancellation of a debt after World War II, the French government granted Uruguay the right to produce Cognac. ANCAP acquired the historic plot No. 12,132 to cultivate the prized Cognac grapevines gifted by France. This marked the birth of the first Cognac ever produced in Uruguay: the iconic Cognac Juanicó—a symbol of the fusion between French tradition and Uruguayan innovation, and a milestone in the country’s winemaking history.

1979

A TRADITION BEGINS: IN THE HANDS OF THE FIRST AND SECOND GENERATIONS

Juan Carlos Deicas acquired the Juanicó Estate with the goal of continuing the Cognac production project. To achieve this, he hired French specialists, who quickly recognized that the terroir of Juanicó shared remarkable similarities with certain regions of Bordeaux. This discovery sparked a dream in his son, Fernando Deicas—to produce exceptional wines in Uruguay.

Some years later, under Fernando’s leadership, the winery underwent a radical transformation. The first major step was redefining its purpose, shifting its focus toward the production of fine wines, with special attention given to noble French varietals.

This evolution led to a series of frequent trips to Europe, particularly to France and Italy. Fernando forged strong relationships with consultants from France, Australia, the United States, Argentina, and Chile, in pursuit of cutting-edge technology and techniques. Innovations included the introduction of cluster thinning in the vineyards, the acquisition of French oak barrels, modern pneumatic presses, and stainless steel tanks.
These changes revolutionized winemaking in Uruguay, establishing the winery as a national leader in viticultural innovation.

1992

THE BIRTH OF PRELUDIO, URUGUAY’S ICONIC WINE

Fernando Deicas’s innovative spirit led him to take on an ambitious challenge: to craft great wines in Uruguay with aging potential, inspired by the long-lived wines of Bordeaux. From this vision, Preludio was born—an announcement of something greater to come. A wine made for aging, it captured the essence of the family, rooted in both tradition and innovation.

Aged for over 24 months in carefully selected oak barrels, Preludio matures in a stone underground cellar built by the Jesuits in 1745. Today a National Historic Monument, this cellar has become the heart of Preludio’s identity, lending the wine a unique and unmistakable character since its very first vintage.

1994

URUGUAY’S FIRST WINE EXPORT

Establecimiento Juanicó shipped the first full container of wine ever exported from Uruguay, bound for London. With that milestone, Familia Deicas became the first winery to open the doors of the world to Uruguayan wines.

1996

FIRST BOTRYTIS WINE IN URUGUAY

Inspired by his appreciation for Sauternes wines and the belief that the climate in that part of Bordeaux was similar to Canelones, Fernando Deicas came up with the idea of producing wine from grapes affected by the noble rot: Botrytis cinerea.

A challenge reserved for only the world’s most select terroirs, it was undertaken under Fernando’s expert guidance, resulting in Botrytis Noble by Familia Deicas—the first botrytized wine ever made in Uruguay, and the creation of an entirely new category in the country.

1997

PRELUDIO CONQUERS EUROPE

Preludio reached an unprecedented milestone when it was named the best aged red wine at Vinitaly, earning the prestigious Grand Gold Medal. This historic achievement marked a turning point in Uruguay’s winemaking history, as Preludio 1992 became the first wine outside of Italy and France to receive such a distinguished honor. Since then, Preludio has established itself as Uruguay’s iconic wine, proudly carrying the banner of the country’s winemaking excellence on the global stage.

1998

LEADING THE WAY IN QUALITY CERTIFICATION IN SOUTH AMERICA

Establecimiento Juanicó made history by becoming the first winery in South America to achieve the demanding ISO 9001 Quality Certification. This milestone not only raised the winery’s standards but also positioned Uruguay as an innovative and leading force in the global wine industry.

2000

FAMILIA DEICAS WINERY IS BORN

Driven by a spirit of exploration, Familia Deicas embarked on an extensive search across various regions of Uruguay to continue shaping the story of Uruguayan wine. This ambitious project led to the creation of two distinct entities: Bodega Familia Deicas and Establecimiento Juanicó. While both remain under the same family ownership, each follows its own unique and complementary purpose, reflecting the Deicas family’s vision and commitment to innovation and excellence in Uruguayan viticulture.

2001

CASTELAR, MÉTHODE CHAMPENOISE

Sparkling wine demands deep technical expertise, and in his pursuit of excellence, Juan Carlos Deicas secured the approval of a renowned Champagne house to have acclaimed winemaker Pierre Yves Harang consult on the project. This collaboration gave birth to Cuvée Castelar, a high-end sparkling wine developed with Harang’s expertise—gained in the very cradle of Champagne, France.

Crafted using the traditional Méthode Champenoise and supported by years of meticulous research, Cuvée Castelar blends the richness of French tradition with Uruguayan innovation, delivering an incomparable experience in every bubble.

2002

URUGUAY’S FIRST TANNAT LIQUEUR

Santiago and Nino Deicas expressed to their father, Fernando, their desire to create their own wine. In response, Fernando shared an idea he had been contemplating: to craft a wine in the style of Port using Tannat grapes.

However, during the development of the project, a devastating tornado struck the winery, causing severe damage, including the destruction of the restaurant that served as an event hall and the loss of a small tank containing the first batch of Tannat Liqueur, significantly limiting its initial production.

Despite these challenges, the Deicas family did not give up. On the contrary, this adversity marked the beginning of a new chapter, driven by the belief that “what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.” Their resilience and determination turned this setback into an opportunity to reinvent themselves, and the success of Tannat Liqueur created a new category in Uruguay. Today, many Uruguayan wineries produce their own Tannat liqueurs, following the path pioneered by the Deicas family.

2004

FIRST TANNAT IN URUGUAY CRAFTED IN TRUE GARAGE CRY STYLE

In 2004, Familia Deicas introduced a wine that marked a turning point in Uruguayan viticulture: Familia Deicas 1er Cru Garage Tannat 2000. It was the first wine in Uruguay to apply the artisanal techniques of Bordeaux’s Crus Garage, standing out for its focus on minimal intervention and the use of manual destemming and maceration methods. These techniques resulted in a wine of remarkable concentration and elegance, combining the power of Tannat with a unique sophistication. The initial release was limited to just 3,000 bottles, establishing this vintage as a true enological gem.

The wine’s success paved the way for Crus D’Exception, a series of wines that embraced the same philosophy of minimal intervention and refined craftsmanship.

2004

CHAPTER 1: THE REVOLUTION BEGINS

In the Progreso area, the soil features a composition with a fertile top layer and a calcareous clay subsoil, where calcium carbonate concentrations increase with depth. In 2004, the Familia Deicas team wondered what might happen if this soil profile could be reversed—bringing the calcareous layer to the surface and burying the fertile soil below.

With that curiosity in mind, they set out on a bold experiment: digging a two-meter-deep pit and completely inverting the soil layers during the refill. This pioneering initiative planted the seeds for what, fourteen years later, would blossom into Extreme Vineyards Suelo Invertido.

2007

LEADING THE WAY IN GARZÓN, MALDONADO

Familia Deicas recognized the potential of the Sierras de Garzón region for crafting unique wines and acquired the Valle de los Manantiales estate. The combination of granite soils, steep slopes, and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean offered ideal conditions for producing wines with a distinct sense of place.

Planting vineyards in this region posed a significant challenge, as the team was firmly committed to preserving and respecting the natural ecosystem. With great care, they designed the vineyards without altering natural drainage systems, which meant leaving large areas uncultivated. They also integrated the vine plantings around native trees, creating plots where the vines coexist harmoniously with the local landscape.

This pioneering approach not only ensured the project’s sustainability, but also allowed for the creation of wines that truly capture the unique essence of Garzón.

2010

INCORPORATING THE SIERRA DE MAHOMA TERROIR, SAN JOSÉ

The Mar de Piedras vineyard in Sierras de Mahoma, located in San José and originally planted in 2000 by a French family, has long been a key source of grapes for Familia Deicas. In 2010, the family made the decision to acquire this exceptional vineyard, known for its distinctive characteristics.

The presence of vertical schist soils and its close proximity to the ocean—just 40 kilometers from the coast—give it a truly unique terroir profile, ideal for producing high-quality wines.

2010

A NEW VINEYARD IN EL CARMEN, DURAZNO

Familia Deicas acquired the Finca Don Pedro vineyard, located in El Carmen, Durazno, after sourcing grapes from the estate for several years. Situated 170 km from the coast, this vineyard offers unique conditions that allow for earlier ripening compared to coastal regions.

In this continental-climate terroir, Cabernet Sauvignon consistently reaches optimal ripeness year after year, standing out for the reliability and quality of its grapes.

2010

A GENUINE EXPRESSION OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEAN

From the very beginning, Fernando Deicas recognized the fundamental role of the Atlantic Ocean in shaping the identity of Uruguayan wines. Just as the Andes mountains lend distinction to Andean wines, proximity to the coast gives Uruguayan wines their unique character.

Inspired by this oceanic influence, Fernando created and registered the Atlántico Sur wine line, with the purpose of capturing and expressing that singularity. Through this initiative, he reaffirmed his commitment to advancing Uruguay’s wine industry, showcasing its global potential and strengthening the connection between coastal terroir and wine quality.

2010

PERDRIEL, MENDOZA: A QUEST BEYOND BORDERS

After several years of sourcing grapes from this historic region for the production of their Cru D’Exception Malbec, the Deicas family acquired a vineyard in Perdriel, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza. Since 2007, the winery had fallen in love with the century-old vines planted in one of the most iconic regions for fine wine production in Argentina.

These old vines offer a natural balance and remarkable aging potential—qualities that bring exceptional complexity and longevity to the wines.

2011

SAINT EMILION GRAND CRU

In their pursuit of exceptional terroirs to craft wines with a true sense of place, Familia Deicas formed a partnership with the owners of Château Franc La Rose, selecting standout plots in the lands of Saint-Émilion.

In 2008, Santiago carried out his first harvest there, with the aim of creating a wine that would bear the family’s signature. In 2011, under the winemaking direction of Santiago Deicas, Familia Deicas Saint-Émilion Grand Cru was launched—blending the family’s heritage with a modern approach to viticulture.

2011

LA TAHONA: A NEW VINEYARD BEGINS

In 2011, Familia Deicas planted the La Tahona vineyard, located just 5 kilometers from the coast and near Montevideo. This vineyard has stood out particularly for its Pinot Noir, becoming a key component in Santiago Deicas’s research on Atlantic-style Pinot Noirs.
The proximity to the sea and the clay-loam soils provide a unique terroir, ideal for exploring new expressions of this variety.

2012

PAUL HOBBS JOINS THE TEAM

With the goal of elevating the quality of Tannat wines in Uruguay, Familia Deicas sought the collaboration of one of the world’s leading winemaking figures: Paul Hobbs, the renowned American winemaker, who joined the team as a consultant in 2012.

Together with Santiago Deicas and winemaker Adriana Gutiérrez, they began researching specific maceration methods for Tannat, exploring new ways to enhance its character. Following Hobbs’ innovative approach—centered on “minimal intervention” winemaking—they experimented with reducing enological additives (such as sulfites) and using wild yeasts.

Although this approach posed challenges at the time, it has since delivered exceptional results, positioning Uruguayan Tannats at a higher level and earning recognition in leading wine publications worldwide.

2015

CHAPTER 2: A NEW EXTREME CHALLENGE

Following the Suelo Invertido project, the winery continued its tireless search for new expressions of terroir. Under the guidance of agronomist Gustavo Blumetto, two hectares were planted on Cerro del Guazuvirá in Lavalleja, near Chacras de las Sierras.

This vineyard—one of the few in South America planted directly on bedrock—presented a unique and thrilling challenge. Under Santiago Deicas’s direction, the team explored ways to interpret this extraordinary site. After extensive experimentation, they discovered that aging the wine in clay amphorae helped enhance the vineyard’s distinct qualities, amplifying the identity of the terroir.

Carefully protected from native deer (Guazuvirá) and wild boars, the vineyard became the second wine in the Extreme Vineyards series, launched under the evocative name Roca Madre (Mother Rock).

2016

CHAPTER 3: SUBSUELO

This third chapter, known as Extreme Vineyards Subsuelo, was developed in the village of Garzón, just two blocks from the main square. Unlike the granite soils of the Garzón hills, this vineyard is defined by what is considered the most calcareous soil in Uruguay.

In partnership with the Varela family, a bold decision was made to remove one meter of topsoil in order to plant directly into the calcareous clay—a milestone in the ongoing pursuit of new terroir expressions.

Today, this vineyard gives life to the Extreme Vineyards Subsuelo wines and also contributes to the blends of Preludio Blanco and Cru D’Exception Pinot Noir. It also plays a central role in Santiago Deicas’s research on Atlantic-style Pinot Noir, exploring how Uruguay’s unique coastal conditions influence the variety.

2018

AGUAVERDE VINEYARD IN BARRAS DE MALDONADO

In 2018, Familia Deicas took over the management of the Aguaverde Vineyard, planted in 2008 on Cerro Eguzquiza, just 9 km from the beaches of Punta del Este. From that point on, a recovery process began with the goal of maximizing the potential of this coastal vineyard.

This site gave rise to wines such as Ocean Blend Rosé and Single Vineyard Barras de Maldonado, which features a particularly distinctive Atlantic-style Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as a Pinot Noir that remains a key component in Santiago Deicas’s ongoing research into Atlantic Pinot Noir.

2019

ICONIC WINE OF SOUTH AMERICA

Decanter magazine named Extreme Vineyards Suelo Invertido as one of the “Next South American Icon Wines,” the only wine from Uruguay to receive this distinction.

Santiago Deicas—third generation of the family and current winemaker—has led this innovative experimental line and shared his vision:

“We’ve learned that truly genuine wines require a natural interpretation of the terroir. You can’t create a true sense of place if you’re chasing perfection—because that often leads to the temptation of using makeup. With every new vineyard, we carry out several microvinifications, and the conclusion is always the same: the best wines are the ones where the place overrides the winemaker. It may sound simple, but in truth, this approach demands much deeper knowledge and far more work!

2020

SANTIAGO DEICAS AMONG THE TOP 5 WINEMARKETERS IN SOUTH AMERICA

The prestigious British magazine Decanter named Santiago Deicas among the five most influential winemakers in Latin America, alongside Alejandro Vigil and Matías Riccitelli from Argentina, and Roberto Henríquez and Francisco Baettig from Chile.

This honor highlights Santiago’s impact on Atlantic-style wines, cementing his place among the region’s most outstanding producers.

2022

A WINE THAT MARKED THE EVOLUTION OF URUGUAYAN WINEMAKING

In June 2022, Decanter magazine recognized Preludio as the most iconic wine in the evolution of Uruguay’s wine industry, describing it as “arguably the most important wine in the evolution of Uruguay’s fledgling wine industry.

2023

CRU D’EXCEPTION ALBARIÑO AMONG THE BEST OF THE NEW WORLD

The vision of the Deicas Family has always been to help shape the story of Uruguayan wine. After several years of research in pursuit of the finest expression of Albariño, Cru D’Exception Albariño was born with the 2020 vintage.

In its release year, it received 96 points and was named Best New World Albariño by the UK’s Decanter magazine. Renowned wine critics James Suckling and Tim Atkin also awarded it 96 points—the highest score ever given to a Uruguayan wine at the time.

2024

PRELUDIO AMONG THE BEST IN SOUTH AMERICA

Preludio, a true Uruguayan icon, has earned prestigious accolades throughout its history. In his 2024 report, wine critic James Suckling reaffirmed its status by awarding 96 points to the 2018 vintage, ranking it among the best wines of both Uruguay and South America.

HOY

THE STORY CONTINUES

The never-ending pursuit continues, and to this day, Familia Deicas works with micro-terroirs across 12 regions of the country. They all share one defining trait: a strong oceanic influence that shapes the climate and provides the ideal conditions for producing wines with a true national identity.

This approach reflects the family’s ongoing commitment to capturing and expressing the essence of Uruguayan terroirs in every bottle.