When two engineers—one Argentinian, one Uruguayan—met in the picturesque town of Colonia del Sacramento, they discovered a common passion for gin. What began as casual conversations about recipes and botanicals soon grew into a two-year journey of experimentation that would culminate in the creation of Sur 34 Gin, a premium artisanal spirit with global ambitions.

“We started this project with the goal of creating a unique gin that was very appealing to the crowds,” recalls co-founder Marcelo Lopez. “We were already gin connoisseurs, collecting gins from around the world, so we wanted to create our own version of it. And this is how we both started.”

Blending Passion with Technology

Unlike many heritage-based distilleries, Sur 34 was born out of engineering precision and modern technology. The founders, Marcelo Lopez and Angel Ghiazza, trained in the Netherlands, where they also sourced the advanced column stills now used at their distillery in Colonia.

“The difference with this technology is that it’s stainless steel and a column still,” Lopez explains. “That gives us more control over the distillation process, the temperatures, and the reflux. It’s the key to creating the right quality alcohol and then distilling the gin in a single run as we do it.”

This balance of craftsmanship and innovation is at the heart of Sur 34’s identity—authentic yet forward-thinking.

Marcelo Lopez (Left)and Angel Ghiazza (Right)- Co-Founders of Sur 34 Gin

A Spirit Shaped by Place

Colonia del Sacramento is more than just home to Sur 34; it’s a defining ingredient in its story. The distillery sources fresh mandarins unique to the region and juniper from Patagonia, blending them with Macedonian juniper for complexity.

“We are in the right spot at the 34th latitude,” says Lopez. “Here we can get access to incredible botanicals and, of course, benefit from the quality of water in the region.”

The influx of tourists and gin enthusiasts visiting Colonia has also played a role, providing feedback that helped refine recipes and inspire new ideas.

Beyond Distillation: Building a Brand

While mastering distillation took time, Lopez admits the greater challenge lay in learning how to position Sur 34 in a competitive market. “The challenge was mostly related to sales,” he says. “Understanding how to position a consumer product like this, how to play with distributors and retail spaces, and whether to compete on volume or quality. We definitely went with the first approach—quality and exclusivity—but learning how to do it took us another year of trial and error.”

That perseverance has paid off, with Sur 34 carving out its niche as a premium, artisanal gin that appeals to connoisseurs looking for something distinct from mass-market brands.

With an open-door distillery at Plaza de Toros and a growing reputation abroad, Sur 34’s mission is clear: to put Colonia del Sacramento on the global gin map. Driven by authenticity, innovation, and a commitment to excellence, this young brand is proving that world-class gin can come from unexpected places—like the 34th latitude of Uruguay.