During our recent trip to Peru we visit Tacama, Vineyard and Distillery in Ica, Peru. About about 180 miles south of Lima, Ica is an arid oasis not far from the Pacific Ocean. Indigenous peoples ruled the land before the Spanish settled the area in the 1500’s. The Spanish, after drinking imported wine from Spain that was often spoiled from the long journey opted to start their own vineyards. With vines from the Spanish Canary Islands, the Order of St. Augustine monks planted the vines in the fertile soil of Ica. Not only did they produce sweet wines but also made “fire Water” or what we know today as Pisco.
Sailors, were some of the early customers of Pisco, introducing it to the world. They brought it to the US shores in the mid 1850’s during the Gold Rush Age. San Fransisco had a popular cocktail named the Pisco Punch. Now the refined pisco is most commonly made into a tasty lime cocktail, the Pisco Sour (directions below).
Tacama, is now know as “the oldest vineyard in South America.”. The Olaechen family has owned it since 1899 and the fourth generation is making award winning wines and pisco’s. The grounds of Tacama are gorgeous and takes you back into time where making pisco was a family tradition with foot stomped grapes and fermented wine in clay jars. Today it is one of the leading producers of Pisco in South America and sold throughout the world.
Listen to Savory Road Radio segment
Listen to “On the Savory Road” Podcast about Tacama
These clay jars were used in early fermentation of the grapes for pisco
Jeff and Donna take a guided tour with Jessica of Tacama.
Tacama uses some ancient varietals of grapes: Quebranta, Albilla, Torontel, Muscatel, Italia
Family home at Tacama
Inside the family church on the Tacama grounds
Bell tower
Tasting, Tacama wine
Tasting the Pisco
Pisco Village in Ica, Jeff and Luis walking down the main street
Villlage distiller
Looking down the Fermenter
Lunch at La Olla de Juanita at the Pisco village
Traditional meal of steak, egg, french fries, salad and rice
Lunch at La Olla de Juanita
We stayed at an Airbnb in Ica, Peru. The owners were the Espinoza family. Luis was our host and guide.
Our Ica Airbnb
View from our room
Maria Espinoza is showing Jeff how to cook some of Peru’s traditional dishes
Jeff and Luis Espinoza in from of his Airbnb
Roasted Chicken Restaurant in Ica
Breakfast at our Airbnb
View from our bus ride from Lima to Ica.
Easy Pisco Sour
Makes 2
2 cups ice
1 cup Pisco
½ cup fresh lime juice
1 cup sugar
1 egg white
Angostura bitters
Blend everything except the bitters until smooth – about one minute. Pour into two glasses. Top each with three separate drops of bitters. Serve immediately.
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