Los afroamericanos como cofundadores de la viticultura de Argentina y Chile

Abstract

The paper examines the role of Africans and their descendants in the wine industry in Argentina and Chile since the mid 17TH century until the beginning of the 19th. It is detected that this group played a relevant contribution to this activity by collaborating with the cultivation of the vine, the production of wine and brandy, packing, transportation and marketing. They also stressed in innovation, particularly in the diversification of the regional wine-growing heritage, and the production of typical products, such as the first Chilean pisco. The paper compares the work of these groups in the vineyards of Chile and Argentina with the role that fit them into other American territories, especially Peru. The study is based on unpublished original documents of notarial and judicial funds of Mendoza, San Juan, La Serena, Santiago, San Felipe, San Fernando and Cauquenes, together with records of the Jesuits.