Exploring the high-altitude vistas, grape vines and great food in Argentina’s Calchaqui Valley.
Try a glass of aromatic white wine at Finca Quara, one of the region’s oldest and most respected wineries. (Mark Johanson/Chicago Tribune )
Striking rock formations, waterways and mountains give a surreal feel to Argentina’s Calchaqui Valley. (Mark Johanson/Chicago Tribune )
Red rock formations can be found in much of the Calchaqui Valley of northwest Argentina. (Mark Johanson/Chicago Tribune )
Photographer Ossian Lindholm leads photo tours of northwest Argentina with Boston-based Travel Vision Journeys. (Mark Johanson/Chicago Tribune )
Mariana Paez makes wine for Finca Quara, one of the region’s oldest wineries. (Mark Johanson/Chicago Tribune )
The bubble-gum pink cathedral in Salta, a charming town full of cobblestone streets and cafes. (Mark Johanson/Chicago Tribune )
Finca Quara’s history dates back 140 years. (Mark Johanson/Chicago Tribune )
The popular cookie sandwiches known as alfajores in Argentina typically are filled with dulce de leche. (Mark Johanson/Chicago Tribune )
Don’t miss the flaky empanadas at Dona Salta, an unabashedly touristy eatery in the city of Salta. (Mark Johanson/Chicago Tribune )
Layer upon layer of colored earth creates a dramatic landscape in La Yesera. (Mark Johanson/Chicago Tribune )
Salta is home to what many regard as South America’s best empanadas, like this pillow stuffed with melted cheese. (Mark Johanson/Chicago Tribune )
Queso de cabra, or goat cheese, infused with ground pepper and other ingredients can be picked up at Posta de las Cabras, a small goat farm about an hour south of Salta. (Mark Johanson/Chicago Tribune )
A sophisticated spin on humitas, a pre-Hispanic dish of mashed corn and spices, is served at Finca Quara. (Mark Johanson/Chicago Tribune )
Torrontes ice cream makes a refreshing treat at Heladeria Dessio, an ice cream parlor on the edge of Cafayate’s main square. (Mark Johanson/Chicago Tribune )
The so-called “Amphitheater” in the Gorge of Shells has natural acoustics that draw folk singers and plenty of tourists. (Mark Johanson/Chicago Tribune )
The light plays off the landscape at La Yesera, a beautiful spot to stroll in the Calchaqui Valley. (Mark Johanson/Chicago Tribune )
