In the land of Pisco ... Pisko: The origin of a name

Pisco / Peru: more tan 400 years of History and Tradition (1613 - 2013)

On a warm afternoon with a splendid sunset which turned the sky red, years before the arrival of the Spanish, the Cacique Chuquimanco and his people admired what is today known as the bay of Paracas. Along the horizon thousands of birds fluttered and flew around, looking for refuge. The people repeated over and over “pisscu, pisscu”—bird, in Quechua—and thus the Cacique and his people used the word to described themselves. As time went by, this community became known as the Piskos, due to their notable potters and the earthenware jugs in which they fermented chicha. When the Spanish arrived, bringing grape vines from the Canary Islands to the coast of Paracas, they adapted the grape, which is now known as the Quebranta grape. When distilled, it produced a grape firewater that was stored in those earthenware jugs known as Piskos. This name eventually was given to a city, a port and a river. It is important to note that these bottles were “cured” with honey in order to appropriately seal them. Translate by Katrina Heimark elpiscoesdelperu