Salta
The wine route in Salta starts in the capital city, and traverses the historical towns of Valle de Lerma ending at the south in Cafayate. The way back to Salta can be taken along the Quebrada de las Conchas, where wind and water erosion carved curious petrous shapes. In Cafayate, there are grapevines cultivated to produce the famous Torrontés wine, even though in that region there are also other varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah and Chardonnay. In the cities of Yacochuya and Colomé, over 2,000 meters above sea level, there are new undertakings in vineyards and in the wine industry being currently developed.
La Rioja
For centuries, La Rioja has been producing a variety of excellent wines, in grapevines mainly concentrated in Chilecito, Nonogasta, Felipe Varela, Villa Castelli, Vinchina, Castro Barros, Anillaco, San Blas de los Sauces, Sanagasta and Famatina. In that region the climate is very favourable for the production and diversification of grape varietals, for which the most important wineries are settled. These wines have been internationally acknowledged in several occasions, such as the La Rioja’s Torrontés, which has received the highest award in international contests. Other recent awards have confirmed the expertise and responsibility of the provincial viticulture sector that exports wines of upermost quality in so competitive markets.
Cordoba
This province has a long tradition in the cultivation of grapes for wine production. One of the first wines produced was called lagrimilla and was taken by the Jesuits into Spain. The missionaries who arrived by the end of the 19th. century kept on with this vitiviniculture tradition. Nowadays, the production is mainly concentrated in the Disctrict of Colón, being Colonia Caroya the region with most wineries and wine growers that produce wine by traditional methods. Visiting vineyards and wineries and testing grapes and regional wines is the main attraction in this gastronomic route.
San Juan
The most important wine production area in San Juan is the so–called Valle de Tulum, that has a dry and mild climate, optimum for the culture and production of the Syrah wine (a grape well adapted to the region) and other fine table wines and liquors . The most important wineries in San Juan are Viñas de Segisa, Fabril Alto Verde, Champañera Miguel Más, Las Marianas, San Juan de Cuyo and La Guarda, which are equipped with state of the art machinery, stainless steel containers, computerized refrigeration, oak aging casks, and have a staff of highly qualified oenologists.
Mendoza
Vitiviniculture is the major agricultural activity in Mendoza. It is a traditional production and has been worldwide recognized. There are 1,221 wineries producing almost 10 million hectolitres annually. The main varieties for wine production cultivated on these lands are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Syrah, Barbera, Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin, Ugni Blanc, Semillón. On the northern region, the most typical wines produced are white and young red wines, while the eastern region is the area of most vitiviniculture production.