Bodega Colomé is the oldest continuously operating winery in Argentina, founded in 1831 by Nicolás Severo de Isasmendi y Echalar (the last Royalist governor of Salta before independence) in the heart of the Calchaquí Valleys, in the Molinos department, at 2,300 meters above sea level and roughly 200 kilometers south of Salta city (157 km north of Cafayate). Since 2001 it has belonged to Swiss magnate Donald Hess (of Hess Family Wine Estates, a global conglomerate with vineyards in Argentina, Switzerland, South Africa, the US and California), who transformed the property into one of the most singular wine destinations on earth — combining historic winery, extreme high-altitude vineyards, boutique hotel and contemporary art museum. The estate operates four distinct vineyards at staggered elevations: El Arenal (1,700 m, Cafayate), La Brava (1,750 m, Molinos), the Colomé estancia (2,300 m, main winery), and the legendary Altura Máxima (Payogasta, 3,111 meters above sea level) — one of the highest commercial vineyards in the world. The extreme conditions of Altura Máxima (UV radiation 8x stronger than at sea level, 25-30°C diurnal temperature swing, minimal humidity, arid stony soils) produce a Malbec with very thick skins, intense polyphenol concentration and acidic elegance that has scored consistently 95-98 points from Wine Advocate, James Suckling and Robert Parker. Bodega Colomé is a World's 50 Best Vineyards member. On the property sits the James Turrell Museum, the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to American light artist James Turrell (b. 1943, Pasadena, CA), inaugurated in 2009 with funding from Donald Hess and comprising 9 permanent installations created on-site by Turrell himself ("Unseen Blue", "Dhatu", "Tycho", "Slow Dissolve", "Blue Curtain", among others), all manipulating the perception of color and space through precise apertures aimed at the extraordinary Calchaquí Valley sky — the artist's famous "Skyspaces". Museum visits are guided in small groups (max 6 people) with exclusive sunrise and sunset slots when natural light enables the optimal experience. The on-site Estancia Colomé is the boutique hotel: 9 rooms in Casa Grande (4 vineyard-view suites, USD 580-780/night) and Casa Cerro (5 rooms, USD 480-650/night), full-board basis, paired meals included, horseback riding, trekking, stargazing (zero light pollution at 2,300 m), spa and outdoor pool with Andes views. 2-night minimum. Visit options: Winery + Turrell Museum tour (3 hrs, USD 65-95, two daily slots); Altura Máxima tour (half-day, USD 120-180, 4x4 to 3,111 m with on-site tasting); Estancia Colomé stay (USD 480-780/night all-inclusive). Always book ahead (info@bodegacolome.com) 1-3 months in advance. Access from Salta city: 5-6 hrs in 4x4 (last 80 km on gravel), or from Cafayate 3-4 hrs along the scenic RP 40 through Angastaco, San Carlos and Molinos. The estate closes January-February for rainy season; best months are March-November, optimal April-June (clear skies, post-harvest) and September-November (spring). Wines produced: Colomé Altura Máxima Malbec (USD 80-150), Estate Malbec (USD 30-50), Auténtico (no sulfites), Reserva Malbec, Lote Especial Tannat, Torrontés, Cabernet-Malbec blends.
Getting there — distances & times
| From | Distance | Flight | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salta city | 200 km | — | 5-6 hrs (4x4) |
| Cafayate | 157 km | — | 3-4 hrs (gravel RP 40) |
| Cachi | 75 km | — | 2-3 hrs (gravel RP 40) |
| Molinos town | 25 km | — | 45 min (gravel) |
| Tucumán | 380 km | — | 8 hrs |
| Buenos Aires (flight to SLA) | 1500 km | 2 h 20 + 6 hrs by car | — |
Typical prices by category
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Winery + Turrell Museum tour (3 hrs) | USD 65-95 |
| Altura Máxima tour (half-day) | USD 120-180 |
| Lunch at the winery (3 courses) | USD 55-85 |
| Estancia Colomé Casa Cerro | USD 480-650/night (full board) |
| Estancia Colomé Casa Grande | USD 580-780/night (full board) |
| Bottle of Estate Malbec | USD 30-50 |
| Bottle of Reserva Malbec | USD 50-80 |
| Bottle of Altura Máxima Malbec | USD 80-150 |
| Premium tour with transfer from Salta | USD 280-450 |
| Premium tour with transfer from Cafayate | USD 220-350 |
| Horseback riding 2 hrs (guests) | Included |
| Charter flight Salta → Colomé airstrip | USD 800-1,500 (inquire) |
2026 prices in USD (approximate). Booking essential 1-3 months ahead at info@bodegacolome.com.
The 4 Visit Options
Winery + James Turrell Museum tour (3 hrs)
The standard visit. Guided tour through the historic 1831 winery, barrel hall, tasting rooms. Full Turrell Museum walkthrough (small groups of max 6, slots at sunrise 6:30 AM or sunset 5:30 PM for optimal light experience). Final tasting of 4-5 wines. USD 65-95 per person. Booking essential 1-3 months in advance. The default visit option.
Altura Máxima tour (half-day)
4x4 excursion to the world's highest vineyard at Payogasta (3,111 m) — 1.5-hr drive from the winery. Walk among the Malbec vines at nearly 3,200 m with the head winemaker explaining the extreme terroir. On-site tasting of 3 premium wines including Altura Máxima Malbec. Gourmet lunch with Andes views. Return to the estancia. USD 120-180 per person. Estancia Colomé guests or premium tour packages only.
Estancia Colomé stay (2-night minimum)
The most exclusive lodging in northwestern Argentina. Casa Cerro (5 rooms, USD 480-650/night) or Casa Grande (4 vineyard-view suites, USD 580-780/night), full-board basis: gourmet breakfast + paired lunch + paired dinner + premium tastings + winery and museum visits + horseback riding + astronomy sessions + spa and pool access. Transfer from airstrip. Closed January-February. 2-night minimum.
Private Events (weddings, corporate)
Whole-estate buyout for events of up to 30 people. Wedding with 5-wine premium pairing, ceremony among the vineyards. Master sommelier-led corporate wine tastings. Inquire for rates (USD 25,000-80,000 for a 20-30 person all-inclusive event).
Book your Bodega Colomé visit
Premium Colomé tour from Cafayate
4x4 transfer from Cafayate + winery tour + Turrell Museum + lunch. Full day. Certified local operator, bilingual guide, max 8 people.
Estancia Colomé 2-night premium
2 nights at Casa Cerro full board, all experiences and pairings included. Transfer from Salta or Cafayate. Min 2 people.
Altura Máxima 4x4 tour
Excursion to the world's highest vineyard (3,111 m) from Estancia Colomé. 4x4 + on-site tasting + gourmet lunch. Hotel guests only.
The James Turrell Museum — Unique in the World
Inaugurated in 2009 with funding from Donald Hess, the James Turrell Museum at Estancia Colomé is the only museum on earth dedicated exclusively to the American light artist. The 9 permanent installations were designed by Turrell specifically for this site, taking advantage of the Calchaquí Valleys' extraordinary luminosity (high UV radiation, near-permanently clear skies, zero pollution):
- Unseen Blue: immerses the viewer in pure blue perceived without an object.
- Dhatu: a Skyspace with a square aperture to the sky, color-shifting with natural light.
- Tycho: a chamber where projected light effects appear solid.
- Slow Dissolve: a slowly mutating light projection.
- Blue Curtain: a curtain of blue light that appears tangible.
- Wedgework, Stuck Red, Stuck Blue: angular light installations.
- The Color Inside (outdoor Skyspace): on the terrace, best experienced at sunrise/sunset.
90-minute guided tours in groups of max 6. Exclusive slots at sunrise (6:00-7:30 AM) and sunset (5:00-6:30 PM). Booking essential.
Combining Colomé with Other Visits
- Cafayate — logical base for accessing Colomé (157 km).
- Cachi — historic Calchaquí Valley town (75 km).
- Molinos town — 25 km from the estancia.
- Seclantás — village of poncho weavers.
- Quebrada de las Conchas — multicolor rock formations along RP 68.
- Los Cardones National Park — crossed on the way from Salta.
Suggested itineraries including Colomé: 7 days Salta + Cafayate + Colomé or 10 days complete NW Argentina. More wineries: Cafayate and high-altitude wines.
