Cofradía del Pisco
| Cofradía del Pisco | |
| Formation | 1712 AN |
|---|---|
| Type | Trade guild |
| Legal status | Active |
| Purpose/focus | Quality standards, collective marketing, and representation of pisco producers |
| Headquarters | Pisqu, Santander |
| Region served |
 Nouvelle Alexandrie |
| Affiliations | Federal Institute of Denominations of Origin |
The Cofradía del Pisco is a trade guild of pisco producers based at Pisqu in Santander, Nouvelle Alexandrie. Founded in 1712 AN and modeled on Alexandrian wine guilds, it was the first organized body for cooperation among the pisco makers of the coastal valleys of Santander. The guild sets voluntary quality standards, organizes collective marketing, and represents producer interests before regional authorities.[1]
The cofradía is associated chiefly with the commercially oriented producers of the Santanderian valleys, and has emphasized consistent quality and protection of the pisco name against imitation. It built on the first regional production standards, established in Santander in 1698 AN, and later worked within the framework of the Pisco Denomination of Origin Act, 1734, which set the legal basis for pisco production. In 1746 AN the guild successfully opposed a petition to extend the denomination's authorized zones into two Valencian valleys, which the Federal Institute of Denominations of Origin rejected.[1]
A parallel body, the Asociación de Pisqueros de San Francisco, represents the Wechua coastal producers, so that organized representation of pisco making is divided between its Santanderian and Wechua branches.[2]
