La Encantada Farm
Comfortable cottage in Seclantas Adentro
Great was @tripticity_'s surprise when, in the constant search for new options, we found Finca La Encantada.
In the valley of Seclantas Adentro, right in front of Brealito river canyon, Federico and Rocio refurbished the farm's landlord's old living room to provide comfortable lodging for visitors.
It is located a couple of kilometers from Route 40 and four from the town of Seclantás.
We arrived in the afternoon, when the sun was illuminating the mountain in front of us, so we were ready to enjoy the serenity in the gallery while we savored a picada with the estate's wine. Malbec vines surround the adobe and reed-roofed house, very characteristic of the Calchaquí Valleys.
At nightfall, the sky was illuminated with an immense amount of stars, an extra spectacle. It reminded us of our experience in Salinas Grandes, when we stopped at Pristine Camps. Those pristine skies where the universe seems to approach and show its lordship.
At that moment, the hosts returned, bringing the dinner programmed beforehand. A banquet of homemade food, well homemade, prepared on the spot for us with products from the farm.
The starters that night were a pumpkin soup accompanied by homemade bread. The main courses were opulent cannelloni of chard, ham and walnuts, also home-made, with a tomato concassé from the garden. And a generous potato pie as a finishing touch.
All accompanied by the powerful Seclantás Malbec, which after half an hour of oxygenation acquires levels of excellence.
At that time, the night before June 17, in the town of Seclantas was taking place the traditional guard under the stars in honor of the local hero Martin Miguel de Güemes. Salta's tradition sends its loyal gauchos to relive that night before his death, in which followers take turns to keep watch to sustain the care of the hero. That is why we did not hesitate, in spite of the fatigue, to come to live and be part of that experience.
Two huge logs fed the fire and the authorities presided over the formal act. After the flag raising and the national anthem, the town's ballet performed. Then followed an interesting talk with the mayor of Seclantäs, who told us about the projects to generate and promote tourism in his town while we enjoyed boiled wine, ideal to warm the body on that cold early winter night: a sweet and hearty potion that warmed even the soul.
The next morning a visit to Luracatao awaited us, after a stop at the Brealito Lagoon and its patronal feast, so we returned to Finca La Encantada for a rest in the silent valley.
When we woke up, our hosts brought breakfast to our little house. Just like dinner, everything was homemade, from the cookies with quince jelly to the muffins and apple jam.
We said goodbye to Rocío and Federico celebrating their initiative to create in their farm a comfortable and beautiful refuge for the visitor, in which besides the immense and majestic landscape also highlights its remarkable wines and the tasty gastronomic proposal of the house.
A place to rest, admire the beauty of the landscape, the starry sky at night and the deep silence of the valley.
