Estancia Los Cardones: A High-Altitude Wine Experience

Estancia Los Cardones, inaugurated in 2017, is located in Tolombón, south of Cafayate in the province of Salta, Argentina. This winery sits high on the eastern slopes of the Calchaquí Valleys at 1,700 meters above sea level, offering a unique terroir for wine production. The Saavedra Azcona family, in partnership with engineer and enologist Alejandro Sejanovich, founded the winery to reflect the unique characteristics of the Tolombón terroir in their wines. The winery's architecture is notable, constructed entirely from stone extracted from the estate itself, blending the building seamlessly with the landscape. This design provides a visual representation of the soil composition of the vineyards. The initial grape plantings date back to 2009, with Malbec being the most planted variety, alongside Petit Verdot, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Marsanne. The soil is rocky and shallow, with fractured slate stone on the surface, contributing to the unique character of the wines. The climate in Tolombón is dry, with occasional summer rains, warm days, and cold nights, with temperature variations exceeding 25 degrees Celsius. The orientation of the vineyards, intense sun, and stony soil promote early grape ripening, making it the first estate to harvest in the Calchaquí Valleys. Estancia Los Cardones offers visitors guided tours and wine tastings, allowing them to experience the harmonious pairing of fine wines and regional cuisine. The winery produces award-winning wines that reflect the distinct characteristics of the Tolombón terroir.