Arca Yaco
Superb high altitude wine in San Lucas
West of San Carlos, after crossing the San Lucas area and its homonymous river a few times, we arrived at Finca Arca Yaco. Its creator was waiting for us attentively to make the visit we had arranged some time ago. He guided us to the winery, located on a high plateau from where the beauty of the Quebrada de San Lucas; can be appreciated; the sun of the Calchaquí Valleys intensely illuminated the superb landscape.
We knew then that we were in a different, special, unique place in Salta.
Without haste and in detail, Matías Etchart began to share with us his story and that of his winery. From that panoramic point we were amazed with his explanation about the varieties of plants of his project: from the traditional Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon he bet several years ago for the strain of the moment, Cabernet Franc. In addition, he decided to carry out a daring experiment on one of the slopes of the mountain, the red grape variety zinfandel, so characteristic of Napa Valley. We will have to wait to decipher the size of this trial... In production there are about seven hectares of the total of one thousand that make up the estate.
We were on that part when some visitors arrived, the Barbenza brothers from Rías de Cafayate, who joined the tour. Charming men of the world, of wine and the world of wine with whom @tripticity_ immediately generated a great affinity.
Once inside the winery, colonial style with thick walls and high tile roofs, we noticed the mosaic that shows the people responsible for its construction. Edgar Mamaní and Mateo Díaz, architect and builder, both natives of the Calchaquí Valleys. Another evidence of what shows the personality of Matías and his strong commitment to this land.
We entered the great hall, home of the five hundred liter barrels. On that stage, the winemaker told us about the manufacturing process of his high-end wine, even sharing with us his secrets, such as the use of large barrels to avoid the wood to impose itself, so as to respect the natural flavor of the grape juice. Then, when we were curious about the origin of the name with which he baptized his labels, he proudly told us that it is a tribute to his uncle and godfather Arnaldo, historical wine maker of Cafayate, who liked to sing boleros by Consuelito Velázquez and Armando Manzanero.
As the only ornament of the establishment, an original work of Emilio Haro Galli could not be missing.
The wines? We tasted the Malbec, the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Franc still in the resting stage, and it left us speechless. There is a reason why Arca Yaco bottles, without marketing departments or distributors, can be found in the most select restaurants in Buenos Aires.
The achievement of projects like Matías' thrills @tripticity_, because effort, good taste and, above all, commitment to quality and to the land are valued.