Portrait of Paula Pivel
i. Biography
Paula Pivel is the winemaker and owner of Alto de la Ballena in Maldonado, Uruguay.
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The Path
Winemaking training at the National Wine School in Uruguay gave Paula Pivel the technical base before she moved into the trade full time. Until 2003, she worked as a bank employee in Montevideo, then shifted into estate work at Alto de la Ballena, where she has been owner since 2000 and winemaker since 2003.
The Work Today
At Alto de la Ballena, the work is split between ownership and cellar responsibility. Paula Pivel’s practice is anchored in Uruguay, with Maldonado as the place her name is tied to through the estate.
Acclaim
Paula Pivel is direct about export realities: "We still can't sell Uruguayan wine internationally unless it has Tannat in it."
FAQ
Asked of Paula
What is Paula Pivel's current role?
As of 2026, Paula Pivel is Winemaker.
Where did Paula Pivel train or study?
Paula Pivel trained at National Wine School in Uruguay.
Explore
In the same rooms
The Sunday email
Read about winemakers like Paula Pivel in the Sunday email.
Every Sunday we send a lead story and up to four more about the chefs, winemakers, sommeliers and hoteliers behind the restaurants, bars, wineries and hotels we cover.
Recent stories
Free. One email a week, and you can unsubscribe from any issue.