We took an overnight trip to Cafayate, (“Cough-fie-yacht-tay”) a quaint town south of Salta with some fabulous wineries. Cici, Julio, Gaby, and Reuben in one car and Gijo, Mike, Dick, and me in the second one. 
The road from Salta to Cafayate is a two lane road that winds through countryside starting over 4000+ ft. between two mountain ranges. The terrain is magical. A mix of New Mexico,Sedona/Arizona, Wyoming, Mars, and Luckenbach/Texas with a sprinkling of sub tropical flora and fauna. There are air plants latched onto electrical wires, succulents covering the cliffs, forests of Saguaro-like cacti(Cardon), red rock formations, a river flowing through a green valley, dry creek beds waiting for flash floods, and various rock cliffs and trees inhabited by parrots. We saw a fox cross the road. And llama, horses, burros, goats, and raptors are common along the route. 

We took a short coffee break at Postes de Las Cabras (Nanny Goat Ranch). A few miles further we encountered another Gargantua de Diablo (remember the one at Iguazu Falls?) but this one was a rock chasm with red rock spiraled cliffs that you climb to reach the “throat of the devil”. Here are a few photos of the countryside
After our ‘rock climbing’ we arrived for lunch at Piattelli Winery which was gorgeous. Beautiful setting on the patio, Dick and I shared a rib eye steak with quinoa and pumpkin mash. The winery has a special “Arlene” blend of Malbec/Cab that we enjoyed with lunch. Everyone enjoyed their meals. Fabuloso! 

Once in Cafayate we wandered the town and saw another winery, a lovely town square with a beautiful moonlit church, and some runaway burros being rounded up by a motorcycle cop. 

We dined at La Casa de Las Empenadas where Gijo showed us his drumming talent. He was later upstaged by a young folk singer who serenaded Gaby and had the crowd singing and laughing. Gaby and Mike were crooning away! Truly impressive! Oh, before we left we signed the wall as hundreds have done before us. 

Before returning home we visited Grace La Estancia de Cafayate. It is a luxury boutique hotel and residential golf/spa resort surrounded by vineyards. Part of the purchase price includes a share of the vineyards and grapes to fulfill about five cases of the wine produced annually! (My brother, Steve, and Elaine…this is right up your alley!). A great place for a coffee break and picture taking. 

We had lunch at Cabra Corral Lake near Salta before returning home. Such a full tour with the best company! Gracias Gijo and Cici,Mike and Gaby, and Reuben and Julio! -A