Our Story
Our story with Estancia Santa Cruz began in 2011, on a summer trip to Uruguay, when we discovered a beautiful property overlooking Laguna José Ignacio. Our daughters and son loved spending their days horseback riding, surfing, and exploring the land. We knew this was a place where our family could build a home surrounded by nature. Drawing on our German and Bolivian heritage, and our lifelong experience living and traveling around the world, we set out to create a place that felt like home—rooted in nature, family, and a sense of belonging.
After building our home, we founded the Santa Cruz Polo Club, now home to up to 300 horses and one of Uruguay’s premier polo destinations. At the heart of Estancia Santa Cruz is La Sierra, our restaurant, serving fresh, organic meals made with produce from our vegetable garden, alongside artisanal pizzas and traditional asado. Guests can relax by our Olympic-sized pool, unwind in the spa and jacuzzi, enjoy contrast hydrotherapy, work out in our gym, or explore the surrounding countryside by bike. Through our Café Feliz program, every cup of coffee sold supports initiatives for children with autism—a cause that is especially close to our hearts as a family.
In 2025, we poured our first wines: Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Albariño, grown in our vineyard, the closest to the Atlantic Ocean in Uruguay. The coastal air and mineral-rich soil give our grapes their distinctive character. Just beyond the vines, La Huerta invites you to explore our vegetable garden, filled with organic vegetables, fruits, and herbs. From there, visitors can follow the path to our Beach House, where the protected waters of Laguna José Ignacio offer swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding, along with beautiful views of the lagoon and its surrounding wildlife.
At the heart of it all, these experiences are an invitation to slow down, reconnect with nature, and enjoy time together. Whether you stay with us for your vacation, visit us for an afternoon, or celebrate an important moment with us—a wedding, a family gathering, or a corporate retreat—we look forward to welcoming you into the Estancia Santa Cruz experience. Each season, we prepare with the same goal: to offer exceptional hospitality and create an unforgettable stay. This is the spirit that guides us—a home rooted in nature and hospitality, growing each year with the hope that everyone who visits Santa Cruz feels part of our home.
We can't wait to welcome you.
Visit us
Estancia Santa Cruz Camino Medellín José Ignacio, 20098 Maldonado, Uruguay
