Harvest Experience at Sierra Oriental: vineyards, hills, and the essence of Uruguay’s East

Our second harvest event, and the one that marked the closing of the 2026 season, took us to Sierra Oriental Winery, in José Ignacio, for a truly intimate and exclusive experience. A special opening of the winery just for Wine Explorers, allowing us to walk through the vineyards, take part in the harvest, and share a long lunch in a unique setting surrounded by rolling hills and vines, with the warmth and closeness of a gathering among friends.

Our second harvest experience of the season took place in a very special setting: Sierra Oriental Winery, in Maldonado.

A winery that is not part of the traditional wine tourism circuit in Uruguay and that opened its doors exclusively for Wine Explorers, allowing us to enjoy a deeply personal, close, and authentic experience. More than a winery visit, it felt like spending the day among friends.

Harvest in Uruguay and the Sierra Oriental experience

Harvest season in Uruguay is the moment when the fruit of a full year’s work is

finally gathered, and a new vintage begins to take shape.

At Sierra Oriental, this experience was lived in a particularly special way.

The day began with a walk through the vineyard, where we explored the work leading up to harvest and the characteristics of the different grape varieties. Then came the highlight of the day: the harvest.

With pruning shears in hand, we headed into the vineyard to carry out the manual grape harvest, connecting directly with one of the most important stages of the winemaking process.

Afterward, as tradition calls for, we enjoyed the classic grape stomping. A relaxed and spontaneous moment that perfectly captures the spirit of harvest: simple, authentic, and shared.

A project between the ocean and the hills

Sierra Oriental is the result of a clear vision: to bring together the ocean, rolling hills, and vineyards in one single place.

Its owner, Rodrigo Diz, envisioned this project from a young age, inspired by landscapes such as Galicia and Tuscany. Today, that dream has become a reality in a property where olive groves, vineyards, and a winery coexist with a strong and distinctive identity.

The landscape, gentle hills, vineyards, and open horizons, is an essential part of the experience and one of the elements that make this place truly unique.

Lunch at the estate house

The experience continued at the winery’s main house with a carefully curated lunch by chef Marcelo O’Neill.

Each course was thoughtfully paired with different wines, creating a balanced experience between cuisine, wine, and landscape.

A shared table, the natural rhythm of the place, and the warmth of the setting brought together a day that was enjoyed slowly, savoring every moment.

Wine tourism in Uruguay: experiences that make a difference

Experiences like this highlight one of the key strengths

of wine tourism in

Uruguay: its sense of closeness.

The opportunity to access family-run projects, meet the people behind each wine, and experience the process from within is what transforms a visit into something truly memorable. And when combined with exclusive openings like this one, the result becomes even more special.

Thank you to Rodrigo Diz for his generosity and for opening the doors of his home to share this day with us.

And thank you to all the friends who joined us and were part of this closing of the 2026 harvest season.

Photos: Tavis Davidson

If you would like to join one of our group wine tours in Uruguay, we invite you to explore our upcoming events or subscribe to our newsletter here: LINK.

See you at the next experience.

Cheers!