Once the vines were finally bearing grapes, the winemaking process had to be mastered, with similar calamities of trial and error.

WSJ: The Near-Accidental Brilliance of Shafer Vineyards

Some wineries are pushing yields and streamlining the winemaking process.

FORBES: The sexiest red

Therein lies the pleasure of wine travel in this tiny South American country: distinctive wines and intimate, personalised visits that guide you to the heart of the winemaking process.

BBC: Uruguay��s boutique wineries