The Diversity of Peruvian Pisco

We at PiscoLogía would like to celebrate pisco on 28 de julio, Independence Day in Peru. However, to celebrate pisco, we must celebrate the diversity behind the beloved grape-based spirit.

The first grape vine in South America was planted in Lima between 1539 and 1541 by Hernando de Montenegro, a Spanish captain. In 1551, the first wine was made by Spanish colonists.

The name “pisco” comes from Quechua, the language of the Incas.

The pre-Inca and Inca civilizations created very sophisticated agricultural and irrigation systems. Without indigenous land, agricultural knowledge manpower, viticulture would not have thrived like it has for hundreds of years.

Historically, the people who have planted, harvested and hauled the grapes have been Indigenous laborers and African slaves.

While distillation came to Peru with the Spanish, it is an Arabic technology.

Pisco is the fusion of peoples, cultures, and history. And with each sip we are honoring each and every one.