First look at Los Cardones

After a year of physical huffing and puffing, and various more planning a bricks-and-mortar winery, Los Cardones bodega is finally open for business – and it looks rock solid. 

The most recent opening in Calchaquíes Valley is the northwest project from winemaker Alejandro Sejanovich and Jeff Mausbach – the team behind Manos Negras and Teho among others.

Around 50 trucks shifted tons of rock, tiger stone to be specific, which was then used to construct the winery, in Tolombón, Cafayate, the latter Salta province’s wine-producing hub. And the setting, tucked up next to the mountains, looks spectacular.

This is the terroir from which Anko, Flor de Cardón and Tiger Stone – I love the latter’s Grenache, which launched in 2016 – is sourced. And where better than to sample the goodies than at origin?

Los Cardones: a welcome addition to the small yet robust Cafayate/Calchaquí wine circuit.

Tastings: Thursday to Monday, booking ahead.