Double Wine of the Week: Unveiling Peru’s Winemaking Heritage
We have something extraordinarily special to share with you this week! For the first time ever, we are bringing Peruvian wine to our shelves and it comes with a deeply personal story.
If you know our owners, you know Augusto "Rob" Maz. Rob’s heritage bridges two incredible culinary and winemaking traditions: Italy and Peru. To celebrate his roots and introduce our community to the vibrant, hidden gem wine culture of Peru, we are featuring a rare Double Wine of the Week spotlighting the historic winery Santiago Queirolo.
A Tradition Born in 1877: Italian Passion Meets Peruvian Soil
The story of Santiago Queirolo is a classic tale of passion and perseverance. In 1877, a small Italian family steeped in winemaking traditions immigrated to Peru. Three years later, in 1880, Santiago Queirolo Raggio opened La Taberna Queirolo in Lima. While he initially focused on the restaurant, his diners kept coming back for one specific thing: his homemade wines.
Driven by his guests' love for his bottles, Santiago fully dedicated himself to winemaking. Todaym, over 140 years, 800 hectares of vineyards, and 100+ international awards later, Santiago Queirolo stands as Peru’s premier wine producer.
Grown in the sun drenched Cañete and Ica Valleys, where the dramatic peaks of the Andes meet rich coastal soils, these wines combine traditional European techniques (refined alongside world renowned enologists) with modern, eco-friendly practices. In fact, Santiago Queirolo was honored with the 2022 Sustainability Award for clean operations and low CO2 emissions!
This Week's Featured Bottles & Food Pairings
Whether you’re looking for a structured, rich red or a bright, fruit-forward classic, this pair offers an incredible introduction to South American terroir beyond Argentinan and Chilean wines.
Santiago Queirolo Vino de la Magdalena Reservado
Varietal: Malbec & Tannat
Origin: Cañete & Ica Valleys, Peru
Named "Magdalena" in honor of the Lima district where Santiago first settled and planted his roots in 1880, this flagship red pays tribute to the winery's origins.
Pours a deep ruby in the glass with inviting aromas of ripe plum, prune, and mixed dark berries. On the palate, it strikes a complex balance between rich fruitiness and subtle, elegant sweetness. It’s smooth, structured, and remarkably inviting.
Perfect Food Pairings:
Peruvian Classics: Lomo Saltado (traditional Peruvian beef stir-fry with onions, tomatoes, and soy sauce) or Anticuchos (grilled marinated beef heart skewers). The structure of Tannat and Malbec easily handles bold, savory soy and garlic notes.
Everyday Favorites: Grilled ribeye steak, slow cooked short ribs, beef empanadas, or rich pasta dishes with beef ragù.
Santiago Queirolo Gran Vino Borgoña
Varietal: 100% Borgoña
Origin: Cañete & Ica Valleys, Peru
Borgoña is a cherished regional favorite in Peru, easy drinking, aromatic, and deeply tied to everyday Peruvian gatherings.
Showcases a light violet hue with lively aromas of fresh raspberries, red berries, and delicate fig notes. Sweetness and vibrant acidity echo across the palate in total harmony, creating an extraordinarily refreshing, fruit filled sip.
Perfect Food Pairings:
Peruvian Classics: Pollo a la Brasa (Peruvian roasted chicken served with spicy green aji verde or the more mild aji amarillo sauces) or Seco de Cordero (cilantro braised lamb). Serve the wine slightly chilled to complement the aromatic herbs and spices.
Everyday Favorites: Charcuterie boards featuring aged cheddar and cured meats, BBQ pork ribs, roasted duck breast, or dark chocolate desserts.
Join Us at Peru Fest on October 25th!
The celebration doesn't stop at the market! Rob is helping organize Peru Fest, a lively celebration of Peruvian food, culture, music, and traditions right here in our community.
Date: Sunday, October 25th
Time: 11am-5pm
Location: Virginia Crossings Hotel & Conference Center, 1000 Virginia Center Parkway, Glen Allen, VA 23059
Mark your calendars! It’s the perfect opportunity to dive deeper into Peruvian culture, enjoy amazing food, and celebrate with us in person.
Grab Your Bottles at the Market!
Bringing these wines in isn't just about adding new bottles to our shelves, as part of our Sabor a Casa series, this is Rob's personal "taste of home" that we are honored to share with all of you.
Come by this week to pick up the double feature bundle, ask Rob about his favorite food pairings, and raise a glass with us!
Salud!
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