Salta Wine Festival: A Celebration of Torrontes in Cafayate

Torrontés is to Cafayate, Salta, what Malbec is to Mendoza. This native Argentine white grape variety is gaining in popularity and status.

So what makes Cafayate the king of Torrontés? Much like Mendoza, it is the high altitude that gives the wine that special character and flavour. Add to that a sandy and stony soil, a unique microclimate and just the right amount of water, and you get the characteristically fresh and fruity wine. This perfectly acidic wine is the ideal summer drink, and since summer is on its way, what better way to kick things off than with a celebration of Torrontés?

Cafayate is hosting a wine festival this week in celebration of the High Altitude Torrontés wines. In conjunction with Salta's bodegas and the Ministries of Culture and Tourism, Environment and Sustainable Production, Cafayate celebrates Semana del Torrontés de Altura (Week of High Altitude Torrontés) from the 8 - 13 October.

The event boasts a full agenda of activities with themed tastings, blind tastings, welcome drinks at the hotels, food and wine pairings in the restaurants, a wine forum, lectures and conference activities. A noted guest at these proceedings is Jorge Riccitelli, the chief winemaker at Bodega Norton and the first South American to be named Best Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast, elected in 2012.

The festival includes special guided tours of Cafayate's wineries which specialise in producing Torrontés. To keep you entertained whilst enjoying your wine, there will also be musical performances, with a repertoire of Latin American folklore stylised tracks of great poets.

Whether you're a wine connoisseur or just passing through Salta and interested in tasting a new variety of wine, don't miss this celebration of Torrontés in Cafayate!

The full program of events can be downloaded on the Salta Tourism website.

For more activities in Salta and its surrounding areas, check out our tours and activities in Salta.