In 1998, when Jorge Corcho Rodríguez purchased Yellow Rose, a captivating estate nestled in the heart of La Barra, Punta del Este, it attracted widespread attention, gracing the covers of numerous magazines. The attention shifted from its scenic surroundings to the intriguing love story involving the yellow roses, once symbolic of the romance between Rodriguez and the renowned television diva, Susana Giménez. Despite their highly publicized relationship at the time, Rodriguez, after their separation, committed himself to revitalizing the property and its essence.
Yellow Rose is now revealed to curious spectators; travelers along the Camino del Cerro Eguzquiza can spot its prominent sign atop the wooden gate. This sign no longer honors Susana but designates it as one of the most magnificent country estates in the East. In recent years, Yellow Rose has opened its gates, establishing a polo club and a winery. To commemorate Rodriguez’s contributions to Uruguayan polo and his venture into winemaking, a grand barbecue was held at Yellow Rose over the weekend. However, the presence of a house wine on the table surprised most guests, arousing the curiosity of seasoned liquor enthusiasts who encountered a unique and distinctive flavor.
Jorge Corcho Rodríguez informed LA NACION, “The feedback I received was truly genuine. Adolfo Cambiaso Sr. and Eduardo Costantini loved it and are already inquiring about where they can make a purchase.” Alongside Verónica Lozano, they orchestrated an elegant evening under the gleaming stars, complete with a nearby grill, a warm familial ambiance, captivating melodies, and a gathering of cherished friends.
For Jorge Corcho Rodríguez, owning a vineyard at home represents more than just pleasing the taste buds; he nurtures a profound passion for production and the intricate processes involved in creating a top-tier product. In a conversation with LA NACION, Rodríguez mentioned that they’ve been meticulously working for seven years to craft the wine. After conducting a comprehensive soil analysis with Caterina Viña, the winemaker, they identified three suitable grape varieties: tannat, merlot, or pinot noir. Rodríguez favors pinot noir for its smooth and robust characteristics, evoking the essence of a Romanée Conti wine, one of the world’s most prestigious wines.
The initial production in 2011 yielded a thousand bottles, with only flawless grapes being harvested, resulting in the discarding of nearly 70% of the fruit. Despite its unassuming commercial appearance, 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 their current objective is to produce 5000 bottles. The plants, originating from Burgundy, France, cover four hectares of land and show minimal signs of industrial intervention.
“They are not irrigated; we allow them to grow robustly and coexist with nature without irrigation or chemicals. It’s not certified organic, but it’s 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 inquire about it through a website, place it in specific locations, and key restaurants that we like because we have traveled and experienced them. Many people have tried it at prestigious establishments like the Bristol Hotel in Paris, Fasano in Brazil, and Cipriani, and they have enjoyed the wine,” 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, the club’s accomplishments, and the lifestyle of the country estate. Paired with the wine, which no longer specifies the varietal on its label, Rodriguez refers to it as “the house wine, the Yellow Rose wine.” Grupo La Roca Grupo La Roca Grupo La Roca Bralex, Helicorp Bralex, Helicorp Bralex, Helicorp
