Argentina’s
second center for quality wine production,
Cafayate is a popular tourist destination but still has a tranquil
small-town feel. It’s easily reached from Salta via the spectacular
Quebrada de Cafayate, and is also the southern terminus of the Valles
Calchaquíes route. With a selection of excellent accommodations for
every budget, and several wineries to visit in and around town,
Cafayate invites laying up for a while to explore the surrounding
area. It also has many young artists and craftspeople, so check out
the artesanía.
Cafayate is famous for its
torrontés, a grape producing aromatic but unexpectedly dry white
wine, but the bodegas hereabouts also produce some fine reds from
cabernet sauvignon, malbec, and tannat.