When Corcho Rodriguez bought Yellow Rose in 1998, a delightful ranch nestled in La Barra, Punta del Este, it garnered widespread attention, gracing numerous magazine covers. Beyond its charming setting, the spotlight also highlighted the captivating love story intertwined with the yellow roses, symbolizing the romance between Rodriguez and the renowned TV personality, Susana Giménez. Despite their well-publicized relationship, Rodriguez, following their split, dedicated himself to remodeling the place and its essence.
Today, Yellow Rose stands unveiled to curious eyes; travelers along the Camino del Cerro Eguzquiza can spot its prominent sign atop the wooden gate. This sign no longer pays homage to Susana but designates it as one of the most magnificent country estates in the East. In recent years, Yellow Rose has opened its doors, establishing a polo club and a winery. To commemorate Rodriguez’s contributions to Uruguayan polo and his venture 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 the interest of seasoned liquor enthusiasts who encountered a new and distinct flavor.
In a chat with LA NACION, Corcho Rodríguez expressed, “I received authentic feedback. Adolfo Cambiaso Sr. and Eduardo Costantini were impressed and are already asking about its availability.” Together with Verónica Lozano, they orchestrated a lavish evening with a celestial backdrop, a nearby grill, a warm familial setting, delightful tunes, and a gathering of friends.
For Rodriguez, owning a vineyard at home signifies a deeper commitment beyond mere enjoyment of wine; it embodies his profound engagement in production and the intricate processes necessary to craft a superior product. During a discussion with LA NACION, Rodriguez disclosed that they have dedicated seven years to developing the wine. Following a soil analysis with Caterina Viña, the winemaker, they identified three suitable varieties: tannat, merlot, or pinot noir. Rodriguez has a preference for pinot noir due to its smooth and full-bodied characteristics, drawing comparisons to the esteemed Romanée Conti wine, renowned as one of the world’s most prestigious.
The initial production in 2011 yielded a thousand bottles, with only flawless grapes harvested, resulting in the disposal of nearly 70% of the crop. Despite appearing less commercially viable, Rodriguez emphasizes the quality achieved in the medium and long term. There was no wine produced in 2012 and 2013 due to unfavorable grape conditions, but they now aim to produce 5000 bottles. The plants, sourced from Burgundy, France, occupy four hectares of land, showing minimal impact from industrial methods.
“They are not irrigated; we allow them to develop strength and coexist with nature without irrigation or chemicals. It is not certified 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 expected to reach 5000 bottles, distributed among family and friends, and gradually introduced to selected restaurants. “The idea is to sell it exclusively, so people inquire about it through a page, place it in specific locations, key restaurants that we appreciate because of our travels and experiences. Many people have tasted 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 have enjoyed it,” Rodriguez explained.
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. Accompanied by the wine, which no longer specifies 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
