VINEYARD TOURS IN ICA

Between 1532 and 1580, more than 700 populated centers were founded in Peru, including cities, towns and villages. Each neighbor or inhabitant received a plot of land for his home and land for growing plants and raising cattle. Immediately the «fruits of Castile» were cultivated, among them the vine. In 1550 the chronicle records grapevine cultivation in various regions of Peru, especially on the coast. In 1560 the «wines of the land» considered as good and very good were already being marketed. At the end of the century in reference, grape brandy was already being produced and shipped through the port of Pisco. In the 17th century, both products achieved great distinction. Social and natural reasons contributed to the decline of both drinks; but in the middle of the 20th century the revitalization takes place. Wine growers seek first to improve quality and then expand the wine frontier. Currently, both Peruvian wine and pisco have regained their old prestige and have won national and international awards.

In the 17th century, the production of wine and grape brandy reached a great development, due to the demand of Potosí considered as the «universal consumer of the fruits of the earth», which came to house up to 260,000 inhabitants. Add to this the Azogue and silver mines of Huancavelica, Castrovirreyna and Cailloma. In addition, the urban market of cities and towns that in the 17th century had become multi-productive centers, avid consumers of wines and spirits. Beyond the limits of today’s Peru, there was the port of Guayaquil, Quito, Panama, Colombia, Guatemala and other towns in Central America who were also buyers of Peruvian wine and brandy. In addition to this situation, conducive to the development of vineyard production, there is the intrinsic excellence of both beverages. To this must be added the ban on the production of sugarcane brandy or ruum, a situation that left grape brandy without a competitor.