Wine-growing region or province with the capital of the same name in the northwest corner of Argentina with about 1,500 hectares of vineyards. The area is located between the regions Jujuy in the north and Catamarca or La Rioja in the south. Most of the vineyards are situated between 1,500 and 2,400 meters above sea level on the slopes of the Andes valleys in the Calchaquíes Valley around Cafayate. Some of Colomé 's vineyards are even located at 3,111 meters, making them the highest vineyards in the world. The fine sandy and deep soils on stony subsoil offer excellent permeability. The water for the absolutely necessary artificial irrigation of the vineyards comes from the rivers Calchaquí and Santa María as well as their tributaries. In addition, water is obtained from wells up to 100 meters deep. More than 90% of the vines are grown on trellises.
The temperature differences are extreme - from 40 °C during the day they drop to as low as 12 °C at night, and to minus 6 °C in winter. There are long summers with a frost-free period from October to April. Summer thunderstorms often bring the dreaded local hail. The most important growing area is "Valles Calchaquíes" west of the city of Salta. Aromatic white wines are pressed from the dominant variety Torrontés Riojano. Other varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. 70% of the vineyards are located in the Cafayate sub-area. Important producers are the already mentioned Colomé, as well as Etchart (owned by Pernod Ricard), Michel Torino and Yacochuya (joint venture Michel Rolland and Arnaldo Etchart).
Picture: Vinum - magazine for wine culture
