Salta
The highest vineyards on earth, where the air does the work.
Salta: the home of Malbec and Torrontés
If Mendoza taught you what altitude does to wine, Salta takes it to the extreme. In Argentina's far northwest, vineyards climb above 1,700 metres and some past 3,000, the highest in the world. The intense sun and thin, cold air make deeply coloured Malbec and Argentina's signature aromatic white, Torrontés, both with a concentration you can taste.
The wines
Salta Malbec is dark, floral and powerful, with firm structure from the extreme altitude. Torrontés is the local white, intensely aromatic with notes of rose and citrus yet crisp and dry on the palate, a genuine original.
Where to go
Cafayate is the charming wine town at the heart of it, surrounded by vineyards and dramatic red-rock canyons. The drive there from Salta city, through the Quebrada de las Conchas, is a spectacle in itself.
Eat
Northwest Argentine cooking leans on empanadas, corn and goat. Torrontés with empanadas, and Malbec with grilled meat, are the regional staples.
Getting there
Fly into Salta city, then drive about three hours south to Cafayate through stunning desert scenery. A car or tour is the way to do it.
Know the wine before you go.
The app teaches you Malbec and Torrontés in five minutes, then helps you order it with confidence. Learn the grape, then come back and plan the trip.
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Salta, quick answers.
What wine is Salta known for?
High-altitude Malbec and the aromatic white Torrontés, both grown in some of the highest vineyards in the world.
What is Torrontés?
Argentina's signature white grape, intensely floral and aromatic on the nose but dry and crisp to taste. Salta makes the benchmark version.
How high are Salta's vineyards?
Most sit above 1,700 metres, and some climb past 3,000, making them the highest commercial vineyards on the planet.
