In the extreme north of the country, at 23 ° south latitude, the wine zone comprises nearly 15,000 acres cultivated northwest of the provinces of Salta, Catamarca and Tucumán, crisscrossed by the magic and colour of the Calchaquí Valleys, and a smaller portion of Jujuy, in the Valles Templados and the Quebrada de Humahuaca, where the highest point of Argentine viticulture can be found. In the town of Uquía (Jujuy), a vineyard perched on the now disused Moya mine reaches 10.922 feet above sea level, and is the highest vineyard in the world.

The Calchaquí Valleys are a system of mountain valleys formed 5 million years ago, that stretch 270km. A region with a strong Diaguita Calchaquí heritage that reached a high degree of cultural development and left its mark embedded on the rocks. With a viticultural tradition dating back to the 18th century, the Calchaquí Valleys have high-altitude vineyards ranging from 5,100 to 10,207 feet above sea level. The town of Cafayate (Salta) stands out as the main centre of production for the area with 60% of the vineyards.

The climate is arid and dry, with very high average temperatures, a wide daily thermal amplitude and intense solar radiation enhanced by the altitude, and long summers. The soils are generally sandy-loam or sandy with a high proportion of fine sand that favours drainage.

The wines of the region show remarkable influence of terroir, strongly marked by altitude, and great varietal character. The Torrontés is the emblem par excellence of the region, with its characteristic perfume of Malvasia, although Malbec is the most cultivated variety with a large increase in surface area over the last 20 years.

Predominant varieties
Bonarda | Cabernet | Sauvignon | Malbec | Syrah | Torrontés