There is an overriding reason that some of Argentina’s highest quality wine terroirs remain  obscure to the point of being a “secret” in global wine markets. And that reason is that is illogical  for anyone to attempt viticulture at the extreme altitudes where these terroirs are found. Simply  put, navigating the multitude of challenges inherent in extreme altitude winemaking will appear  as an almost impossible challenge for all but the most passionate winemakers.  Located at 1,700 meters above sea level the quiet pueblo of Cafayate sits on the floor of a high  desert valley surrounded by the towering Andes mountains. Increasingly important in Argentina  viticulture, the Calchaqui valley now hosts vineyards from some of Argentina’s best known  winemakers.  Cafayate is famous for year-round sunshine, with approximately 320 sunny days each year.  Combined with the cool nights typical of high desert terroirs, the vineyards benefit from a high  degree of thermal amplitude, the range between day and night-time temperature.