Cafayate is one of northwestern Argentina's prettiest towns and a centre for wine growing. Situated in a stunning valley at the confluence between the Calchaquí and Stan María rivers, the town is surrounded by sweeping mountain panoramas on all sides. Cafayate's high altitude plains are lined with scores of vineyards - the grapes here benefit from cool nights and up to 350 days of sunshine a year.

Trekking across the countryside and stopping for a glass of Argentinean wine once in a while is a definite highlight. The local wineries, known as bodegas, produce some seriously high quality wines, both heavy reds such as Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon and the famous Torrontés, which is rarely grown outside of Argentina. The quality of the wine rivals that of Mendoza, the larger and better known wine producing region in the south of the country. Travellers to Cafayete are encouraged to join tours and wine tastings.