In 1998, when Corcho Rodriguez acquired Yellow Rose, a charming ranch nestled in La Barra, Punta del Este, it gained widespread attention, adorning numerous magazine covers. Beyond its picturesque setting, the spotlight also shone on the captivating love story involving the yellow roses, once symbolizing the romance between Rodriguez and the renowned television diva, Susana Giménez. Despite their highly publicized relationship, Rodriguez, following their separation, committed himself to reshaping the place and its identity.
Today, Yellow Rose stands revealed to curious eyes; travelers along the Camino del Cerro Eguzquiza can spot its prominent sign atop the wooden gate. No longer paying homage to Susana, the sign now designates it as one of the most exquisite country estates in the East. In recent years, Yellow Rose has opened its doors, establishing a polo club and a winery. To celebrate Rodriguez’s contributions to Uruguayan polo and his foray into winemaking, a grand barbecue was hosted at Yellow Rose over the weekend. However, the presence of a house wine on the table surprised most guests, arousing curiosity among seasoned liquor connoisseurs who encountered a new and distinct flavor.
Speaking to LA NACION, Corcho Rodríguez shared, “I received very genuine feedback. Adolfo Cambiaso Sr. and Eduardo Costantini loved it and are already inquiring about where to purchase it.” Alongside Verónica Lozano, they hosted a luxurious evening featuring a starry sky, a nearby barbecue, a familial atmosphere, good music, and a gathering of friends.
For Rodriguez, having a vineyard at home transcends a mere indulgence of the palate; he takes a keen interest in production and the intricate processes involved in creating a high-quality product. In a conversation with LA NACION, Rodriguez mentioned that they have been working for seven years to produce the wine. After conducting a soil test with Caterina Viña, the winemaker, they identified three suitable varieties: tannat, merlot, or pinot noir. Rodriguez favors pinot noir for its soft and full-bodied characteristics, with a working model akin to a Romanée Conti wine, one of the world’s most expensive wines.
The first production in 2011 yielded a thousand bottles, as only perfect grapes were harvested, discarding nearly 70% of the fruit. Despite appearing anti-commercial, Rodriguez emphasizes the gained quality in the medium and long term. There was no wine produced in 2012 and 2013 due to unsuitable grape conditions, but they now aim for a production of 5000 bottles. The plants, sourced from Burgundy, France, occupy four hectares of land, appearing minimally intervened by the industrial aspect.
“They are not irrigated; we let them gain strength and coexist with nature without irrigation or chemicals. It is not organic, but it is as natural as possible,” explained Rodriguez. Currently, Rodriguez does not have ambitious commercial goals and has not sold any bottles. This year’s production is set to reach 5000 bottles, distributed among family and friends, and gradually introduced to selected restaurants. “The idea is to sell it exclusively, so people ask for it through a page, place it in specific locations, key restaurants that we like because we have traveled and known. I had many people try it at the Bristol Hotel in Paris, Fasano in Brazil, in Cipriani, restaurants that we like, and we have offered them the wine, and they liked it,” explained Rodriguez.
Committed to his polo club, registered with the Polo Association of Uruguay and open for visits, Rodriguez plans to publish a book about Yellow Rose. This book will showcase the work with horses, achievements as a club, and the lifestyle of the country estate. Distributed with the wine, which no longer indicates the varietal on its label, Rodriguez describes it as “the house wine, the Yellow Rose wine.”
Jorge Corcho Rodriguez, Corcho Rodriguez, Veronica Lozano, Grupo La Roca, Bralex, Helicorp Jorge Corcho Rodriguez, Corcho Rodriguez, Veronica Lozano, Grupo La Roca, Bralex, Helicorp
