MARCH | INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE VENDIMIA Pisco has become synonymous with <strong>Peru</strong>. The city of Pisco, from where the spirit gets its name, is located in the department of Ica, on <strong>Peru</strong>’s southern coast. Ica is known for housing the proliferating wine and pisco industry, boasting dozens of vineyards that thrive in the dry climate and rich soil. BESIDES WINE AND PISCO, THE CHINGUERITO IS ANOTHER POPULAR BEVERAGE DURING THE HARVEST FESTIVITIES. THIS CLASSIC DRINK IS MADE WITH FRESH GRAPE JUICE, PISCO, LIME, CINNAMON, AND CLOVE. LimaTours Each year, in honour of our famous grapes and the products they render, the month of March is dedicated to the International Vendimia Festival. It is during this time that we re-visit some of the glorious traditions behind the delicious pisco sour that has become our international calling card. After all the hard work, what better than to enjoy the final product? The Ruta de los Lagares - or wine press route – takes visitors on a tour through the main wineries in the area, many of which continue to produce wine and pisco in the same, traditional ways. As guests make their way, they learn about the elaboration process. Each day, a different winery prepares a series of activities for the visitors, and at the very end of all the events, everyone is invited to indulge in a series of tastings that showcase the flavours of our earth. The last day of the party, people head to the final event: the yunza, a lively tradition unique to <strong>Peru</strong>. Participants take turns trying to cut down a young tree decorated with balloons and gifts, one axe whack at a time. The tool – along with the wine – is passed from person to person, to the rhythm of the music, until the tree falls. Upon its fall, participants rush to pick up the gifts, and as tradition has it, the person who struck the last blow is in charge of organizing the next year’s yunza event. <strong>Traditional</strong> clay pisco jugs conserve our national spirit. The celebrations that surround planting and harvesting have taken place since pre-Inca times. Over the years, these customs have managed to survive, adapting to the many social changes that the country experienced, and transforming along way. In 1958, the first Fiesta de la Vendimia took place, and was so successful, that in 1965 it began receiving international recognition. Great weather and an even better assortment of activities make Ica and its surroundings a wonderful place to visit any time of year. Cheers to that! Adrián Portugal / PromPerú All activities during the exciting harvest week revolve around the star crop: the grape. Bunches are cut and placed in baskets, before taking them to the designated press. It is here that the famous pigeage takes place, where men and women make their way into the press and stomp on the grapes with their bare feet, to the beat of <strong>Peru</strong>vian cajones. 24 The treading of the grapes” cambiar por “the pigeage of the grapes.
25