Resto Plazza

Cafayate has some old standard wineries as well as some other ones that are taking advantage of Argentina's renown in the wine industry. The town's altitude ends in a dry climate with warm bright days and cool nights. This supplies the perfect environment for Torrontes, a dry, white varietal that originated in Spain. Wineries go from tiny, family-run shops to massive and business wineries.

The crops are cropped in December - Jan and in the months following the crop you'll see the leaves drying along the fences on the side of the road. Drive through the old colonial town of Coronel Moldes and past Alemania which used to be the final stop on the Argentinean train line. Today Alemania is a deserted town where a hippie kibbutz has been settled. Further along the landscape will become really dramatic as you come to La Salamanca, which is the results of tectonic movements of the sea plates that created decorative mountains in dramatic shapes. Continue though Las Conchas gorge and over the Morales Bridge, which was named after the hospitable family that provides shelter to those that cannot cross when the area is flooded.

You'll spot the wealth of goats in the area - goat's cheese is a speciality of Cafayate, as is pottery made of the clay. Devil's Throat is a lovely rock formation worth stopping at to climb right into the throat. Further along is the amphitheater. If you are fortunate the workmen will be out and you'll be treated to a guitar serenade by a previous barrister who left everything in Salta to live the bohemian way of life.

There are lots of phallic symbols along the drive, but if you use your brains you can see a giant frog, the San Franciscan with an organ behind him, and even the Titanic. Cafayate itself is a little square with a cathedral at one end.It has colonial and baroque design dating from the late 19th century.There are one or two cafes and hostels, and a workmen market, but most of the time it's a quiet, little city.