The origin of the name is lost in ten thousand years of history. No one knows for certain where the word Ica came from. The only thing certain is that, when the hosts of Inca Pachacutec arrived, the place already had that name, which is why there are those who think "Ica" derives from an ancient Yunga dialect. Whatever its origin or meaning, the name has been existing for thousands of years. Today the Department of Ica is a lovely land set in the south of Peru, holding impressive evidence of a splendid past as well as the peace and harmony of tradition.

The town of Ica, capital of the Department of that name, situated 4 hours by road from Lima, was founded in 1563 by Jeronimo Luis de Cabrera, with the name of Villa de Valverde del Valle de Ica. The land was distributed among the Spaniards who had settled in Lima who, however, never came to live in Ica. It was the overseers appointed by them who had the care of the haciendas. The center of today's Ica still has its small-town atmosphere. Its homes built of adobe and stone, with high ceilings and main, two-leaved doors of huarango wood, finely carved. But if there is something Iqueños are proud of it is the quality of their wines and their pisco brandy. Even before the Villa de Valverde was founded, the area was famous for its brandy. Its bouquet of ripe grapes gave it a special touch that made the place famous.

In those days, to carry the brandy to Lima and other places, the barrels were shipped out of (...) ndy". Time passed and from the name coined by the seamen, the word "brandy" disappeared, leaving the drink baptized as Pisco, the name it is still known by today.

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