The Bodegas Vista Alegre of Ica

Discovering the wine region of Ica

Valle de Ica Lies in the Ica province of Peru. It is one of five centres of Grapegrowing within the Protected Designation of Origin for Pisco production, and often appears on labels. There are around 85 producers in the area. As in other zones, Vineyards dedicated for Pisco are most often planted to members of the Muscat family of grape varieties.

Table wines are also made from varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah and Chardonnay. Located around 300 kilometers South of Lima, this is one of the driest places on the planet. No rain or frost has ever been recorded here. Vineyards here are sustained by an aquifer containing glacial meltwater from the Andes.

Valle de Ica has a tropical latitude and lies at an altitude of around 400 meters. It does benefit from breezes from the Pacific Ocean; while days are still hot, nights are cooler. Under these conditions, vineyard harvests are reassuringly predictable. Grapes grown here, unsurprisingly, have high sugars and low acidities.