Region: Rivera (Cerro Chapeu), Uruguay
Grapes: 80% Trebbiano, 20% Malvasia
Body: Light to Medium
Notes: Candied orange peel, dried apricot, white tea, dried wildflower, subtle ginger, and sea spray, with a bright, crisp acidity, fine-grained tea-like tannins, and a bone-dry, chalky mineral finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, pork empanadas, grilled halloumi cheese, roasted poultry, ceviche, or spicy seafood stews
The Producer
Castel Pujol is the historic flagship label of Bodega Cerro Chapeu, situated in the high-altitude continental terroir of Rivera in northern Uruguay along the Brazilian border. Headed by ninth-generation winemaker Francisco Carrau—a pioneer in South American low-intervention viticulture—the estate utilizes a gravity-fed cellar built directly into the red sandstone hill. Farmed sustainably on deep, gravelly-sandy soils at over 1,000 feet elevation, the vineyards benefit from high diurnal swings and constant breezes, allowing white Italian and Mediterranean varieties to maintain crisp natural acidity and exceptional health without chemical dependence.
The Wine
Part of the low-intervention "Folklore" series created in partnership with local Uruguayan visual artists, this skin-contact orange wine brings together co-fermented Trebbiano and Malvasia. The hand-harvested grapes are destemmed and undergo spontaneous wild-yeast fermentation on their skins for several weeks in temperature-controlled neutral vats. This skin contact imparts a vibrant amber hue and delicate phenolic structure while enhancing the floral and spicy qualities of Malvasia. Aged briefly on the fine lees and bottled with minimal manipulation, the 2025 vintage balances citrus zest and dried stone fruit with structured, mouthwatering freshness and a distinct saline finish.
Region: Rivera (Cerro Chapeu), Uruguay
Grapes: 80% Trebbiano, 20% Malvasia
Body: Light to Medium
Notes: Candied orange peel, dried apricot, white tea, dried wildflower, subtle ginger, and sea spray, with a bright, crisp acidity, fine-grained tea-like tannins, and a bone-dry, chalky mineral finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, pork empanadas, grilled halloumi cheese, roasted poultry, ceviche, or spicy seafood stews
The Producer
Castel Pujol is the historic flagship label of Bodega Cerro Chapeu, situated in the high-altitude continental terroir of Rivera in northern Uruguay along the Brazilian border. Headed by ninth-generation winemaker Francisco Carrau—a pioneer in South American low-intervention viticulture—the estate utilizes a gravity-fed cellar built directly into the red sandstone hill. Farmed sustainably on deep, gravelly-sandy soils at over 1,000 feet elevation, the vineyards benefit from high diurnal swings and constant breezes, allowing white Italian and Mediterranean varieties to maintain crisp natural acidity and exceptional health without chemical dependence.
The Wine
Part of the low-intervention "Folklore" series created in partnership with local Uruguayan visual artists, this skin-contact orange wine brings together co-fermented Trebbiano and Malvasia. The hand-harvested grapes are destemmed and undergo spontaneous wild-yeast fermentation on their skins for several weeks in temperature-controlled neutral vats. This skin contact imparts a vibrant amber hue and delicate phenolic structure while enhancing the floral and spicy qualities of Malvasia. Aged briefly on the fine lees and bottled with minimal manipulation, the 2025 vintage balances citrus zest and dried stone fruit with structured, mouthwatering freshness and a distinct saline finish.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.