Located in the northwest of Argentina, the dusty city of Cafayate feels a million miles from the verdant green vineyards of Europe, which I used to associate with wine production. Yet, behind the imposing red rock formations of Cafayate's Quebrada lies Argentina's hidden other wine region: the birthplace of Argentina's Torrontes and home to more than a handful of excellent bodegas.

This post is a complete guide to help you plan your visit to the mecca of Torrontes, including the best wineries in Cafayate and how to tour them.

From wine tasting and exploring the Quebrada de las Conchas to tasting the best empanadas in Argentina, you may just find that you fall a little bit in love with this beautiful part of Argentina.

Although it is pleasant to visit year-round, the best time of year to visit Cafayate is generally from October until April. Spring (September-November) will be warm but pleasant, summer (January and February) will be hot.

Harvesting takes place in March and is considered to be the best time to visit the vineyards when they're all lush and ripe with grapes.

We were there just after most wineries had done their pruning in September, so we didn't see much green but it was still beautiful! The high altitude vineyards in Cafayate lie between 1,700 and 2,000 meters which means even in September the power of the sun must be taken into account and protection from UV rays is always a sensible idea at least with a cap or hat.

Whilst Cafayate isn't as famous as the Mendoza wine territory further south, we were delighted to pass through Argentina's other wine country, a region famous for its Torrontes - a dry but fruity white wine unique to Argentina.

Dotted throughout Cafayate's beautiful region are tens of wineries and thousands of acres of vineyards and just like in Mendoza they are stunning! Best of all? They are very affordable to visit and almost never require any reservations beforehand.

For the wine lovers amongst you, a trip to Cafayate probably means hours spent sipping reds, whites and rosés - just how many depends on your budget and how you intend to get around.

Whilst the grapes are harvested outside of the town, for those on two feet or with little time to explore the area, there are a number of fabulous bodegas offering tastings within walking distance of the town centre. Here's the lowdown on visiting the best Cafayate wineries.

Below is a map of all the Cafayate wineries mentioned in this article. You can see that most are clustered in the town of Cafayate or just at the edge so perfectly visitable on feet or by bike!