Cafayate

Cafayate
Cafayate
Town
	Our Lady of Rosary Cathedral
	Cafayate Location of Cafayate in Argentina
	Coordinates:26°5′S65°58′W/ 26.083°S 65.967°W
Country	Argentina
Province	Salta
Department	Cafayate
Elevation	1,683 m (5,522 ft)
Population
• Total	11,785
Time zone	UTC-3(ART)
CPA base	A4427
Dialing code	+54 3868
Climate	BWk

Cafayate(Spanish pronunciation:[kafaˈʎate]) is a town located at the central zone of theValles Calchaquíesin theprovinceofSalta,Argentina. It sits 1,683 metres (5,522 ft)above mean sea level,at a distance of 189 kilometres (117 mi) fromSalta Cityand 1,329 kilometres (826 mi) fromBuenos Aires.It has about 12,000 inhabitants (2001census[INDEC]).

The town is an important tourist centre for exploring the Calchaquíes valleys, and because of the quality and originality of the wines produced in the area. The town was founded in 1840 byManuel Fernando de Aramburu,at the site of a mission. In 1863 theCafayate Departmentwas created, of which Cafayate is the capital.

Etymology

The Cafayates were a tribe of theDiaguita-Calchaquígroup, which, together with the relatedTolombón,inhabited theValles Calchaquíesprior to the arrival of theSpanish Conquistadores.Their language was known asCacán.Like other Diaguita tribes, they had recently fallen under the influence of theIncas,after a prolonged resistance. They later mounted a fierce resistance to the Spaniards.

Even though most agree that the root ofCafayateisQuechua,the meaning of the term is disputed. Some claim it to mean "Box of Water", others to be a deformation ofCapac-Yac( "Great Lake" ) orCapac-Yaco( "Great Chief" or "Wealthy People" ). AnotherCacánversion understands it as "Grave of Sorrows".

Wines

The wine production is most important in the Valles Calchaquíes. The wines produced in the region benefit from the low-humidity mild weather of the valleys that receive an average of less than 250 mm of precipitation per year. The most characteristic type of wine cultivated in the area istorrontés.Most wine-cellars around the town host free guided tours.

View of a vineyard bordering on a mountain
Just 3 blocks from town
A winery set between vineyards and mountains
A view across the valley with vineyard in the foreground
Vineyard and mountains
View over winery rooftops

Valles Calchaquíes

Many of the most impressive sights in the Valley of theRío las Conchas(Quebrada de Cafayate) are along the paved, 183-kilometres-long National Route 68 that goes fromSaltato Cafayate. National Route 40 goes for 165 kilometres from Cafayate toCachi,another of the most visited points in the area (please note that this stretch of RN40 is not paved and should be avoided during the raining season). Other points of interest from Cafayate include Molinos, Tolombón and San Isidro ranch. The town of Cafayate is an attraction by itself, with its laid-back rhythm, colonial style, and wine cellars open to the public.