It seems like a commonplace, but it’s real: here you live at a different pace. The tree-lined streets, many of them dirt and rising towards the Great Sierrasthe centuries-old English-style mansions, the warehouses and artisan stalls, the paths between streams, the kindness of its people, everything welcomes newcomers like a haven, especially those in search of a quiet environment where you can rest without the noise and urgency of big cities.
That is why so many of the almost 5,000 inhabitants of the small town of San Javier They have come from other parts of the country and stayed, adopted this place as their home, formed families, created ties and communities. A large part of them is dedicated to tourism, an activity that mobilizes the entire region of Traslasierra, this charming valley west of the province of Córdoba surrounded by mountains almost 2,900 meters high.
It happened to Gregorio “Goyo” Aráoz de Lamadrid and Ana Jordán: They fell in love with this corner of the country eleven years ago and never left again.. They found land and, first, built the space they had always dreamed of living in. Then, almost without looking for it, they began to share it with the people who came.
A hotel with a botanical garden and views of Cerro Champaquí
Goyo and Ana today are owners and hosts of the Finca El Tala, where the Aráoz de Lamadrid Hotel and Winery operatesa unique complex that is accessed on the road to Cerro Champaquí from the center of San Javier.
They welcome visitors with a postcard that surprises, since crossing the entrance is to immerse yourself in a huge botanical garden with more than fifteen species of native trees, plants, flowers and aromatics that flood the neatly designed beds and paths with color.
The image contrasts with the first impression the couple had when seeing the virgin field, undermined by evergreens and other invasive shrubs that threaten the native flora.
“You couldn’t even get in. But as we weeded and removed everything foreign, we discovered the richness of the native soil, with the stones and cactus bushes that we didn’t even know existed. We realized that the place was much more beautiful than we imagined.”says Goyo.
Recovering and preserving that beauty became almost an obsession for both of them. And what at first was just the home where they lived with their two daughters, expanded with the construction of six independent rooms, built separately as small cabins with views of the park and the Champaquí and Lindero hills.
Each one was decorated with furniture and objects created by artists of the area, which are also present in the sculptures distributed outdoors throughout the property, which has a total of 13 hectares. Goyo is a landscaper and knew how to find a location for each one in harmony with the environment, and you can discover them in the middle of the mountain, next to a stream or near the bright deck where breakfast is served next to the pool.
Wines with Cordoba identity
For wine lovers, this corner of San Javier has an additional attraction, since the proposal invites you to rest in the middle of vineyards. But the three hectares planted are not only part of the accompanying landscape – in the summer veraison is observed, when the red grapes take on color – you can also witness the production process and participate in tastings.
The Aráoz de Lamadrid winery was born when Ana and Goyo became aware of the potential of the place for production. What started as a project based on personal taste became something serious, so They added the talented winemaker Marcos Fernández to the teamwith a recognized track record in Mendoza (Terrazas de los Andes, Doña Paula).
With him they explored which varieties best adapted and expressed this very particular terroir, because They understood that that was the key: making wines with Cordoban identity. More than Cordoban: from Traslasierra, and specifically from each of the plots of Finca el Tala, with the richness of its sandy-silty soils and its surrounding aromatics that could leave their mark.
Today they have a portfolio of twelve labels that they sell almost entirely in the winery – although they also make shipments. They elaborate varietal whites (Chardonnay, Viognier), Malbec and Tannat roséa GSM (Garnacha, Syrah, Monastrell), Cabernet Franc and aging reds with aging, such as Malbec, ATM (Ancellotta-Tannat-Malbec) and the icon Gran Immortal (with Petit Verdot).
It is not necessary to stay to try the wines, which is why many tourists come in the mornings, when the guided tours take place that include a tour of the the cactus with an impressive collection of more than 300 specimens and ends with a five course lunch (there are options with red meat, fish, pasta and vegetarian), each one paired with a different glass.
How to get there and prices for tickets, visits and accommodation
- How to get there by plane: From Buenos Aires, there are Aerolíneas Argentinas flights that depart from Aeroparque to Merlo, San Luis, starting from $54,300 with taxes (base fare). That is the closest airport to San Javier, 70 kilometers (one hour).
- On micro: Chevallier runs from Retiro (Buenos Aires) to the town of San Javier, 900 meters from the hotel. Tickets from $41,500.
- Accommodation at the Aráoz hotel in Lamadrid: There are promotions for three nights in a double room for $185,100, which include breakfast with bakery, pastries and homemade granola, cheeses, yogurts and natural juices, homemade eggs and fruits.
- Visits and lunches: Tour of the vineyard and three-course lunch paired with wines, $18,500. Guided tour of the cactus tree, winery and five-course lunch: $27,500.
- More information: WhatsApp: +54 9 115911-0257. Email:hotel@araozdelamadrid.ar. IG: @araozdelamadrid.