Bodega Domingo Molina, 8 km west of Cafayate, in the Andean mountainside is one of Cafayate's top wineries. This Domingo Molina family winery is an important part of Salta's viticultural history. It is located in the Yacochuya area where you will find some of Salta's top wineries, with amazing views of the Calchaqui Valley. If the vistas do not get your attention at Bodega Domingo Molina the wines sure will.
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| Awesome View, Domingo Molina © Spaswinefood |
Each day of our Spaswinefood adventures in Cafayate we were impressed by our discoveries. Domingo Molina was one of those special finds. Domingo Molina (paternal and maternal names) is a family winery with a long history in Cafayate. It was founded in 1960's by brothers Palo and Martin whose father arrived in 1905. The present winery was constructed in the 1970's. Today the family winery is managed by brothers Osvaldo, Gabriel and Rafael (sons of Palo Domingo and Leonor Molina).
Exploring Yacochuya
Our Salta Ruta Del Vino travels along Camino a Yacochuya (road to Yacochuya) took us through the unique landscape of Cafayate's high desert scrub. As we drove towards Yacochuya we turned onto a side road towards Yacochuya Norte, in the direction of Bodega Domingo Molina.
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| Bodegas Along the Route © Spaswinefood |
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| Bodega Signs on the Route © Spaswinefood |
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| Onwards to Domingo Molina © Spaswinefood |
These gravel back roads of Cafayate are fun to explore.
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| Side Road to Domingo Molina © Spaswinefood |
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| Road to Domingo Molina © Spaswinefood |
Fortunately it was summer, which made it easier to drive the side roads. After arriving at the winery I could not resist taking a peek at these high altitude vineyards.
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| Domingo Molina Yacochuya Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
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| Calchaqui Valley View from Yacochuya Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
Bodega Domingo Molina
After taking some time to observe this stunning setting it was onto the winery.
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| Domingo Molina Winery © Spaswinefood |
When we walked into the tasting room their wines were on display.
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| Domingo Molina Tasting Room © Spaswinefood |
I did take a closer look while I am waiting for the hostess to return from a tour.
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| Domingo Molina & Hermanos White Wines © Spaswinefood |
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| Domingo Molina Wine Line © Spaswinefood |
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| Domingo Molina Red Wine Lines © Spaswinefood |
While we were waiting I admired the barrels and art work in the tasting room area.
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| Painted Barrel & Art, Domingo Molina © Spaswinefood |
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| Wine Barrel, Domingo Molina © Spaswinefood |
I could not help but help notice the views through the open doors at the winery.
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| Domingo Molina: Winery with a View © Spaswinefood |
We were invited us to taste in the garden. We did. It was a perfect decision.
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| Garden, Domingo Molina © Spaswinefood |
What follows are a few insights into Domingo Molina wines.
Bodega Domingo Molina Wines
The winery produces six lines of wines (Finca Domingo, Hermanos, Domingo Molina, M2, Rupestre, and Palo Domingo), as detailed on the Domingo Molina webpage. The winery's grapes are grown in their three estate vineyards. These vineyards are located in the Cafayate Valley (above 1700 meters), the Rupestre Valley (above 2,300 meters), and Yacochuya (above 2,000 meters). While their primary focus is on red wines (Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Tannat, and blends) they do produce some whites (Torrontés and Sauvignon Blanc).
During the wine tasting we were introduced the following wines:
1. Domingo Molina, Valles Calchaquis Sauvignon Blanc 2016
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| Domingo Molina Sauvignon Blanc 2016 © Spaswinefood |
After the tasting began we were served some bread sticks and tasty cheeses.
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| Domingo Molina Sauvignon Blanc & Cheeses © Spaswinefood |
2. Domingo Molina, Valle De Cafayate Malbec 2014
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| Domingo Molina, Valle De Cafyate Malbec 2014 © Spaswinefood |
Let's take a brief look at the back label. Osvaldo, Gabriel and Rafael recognize the role of their parents Palo Domingo and Leonor Molina in founding the winery. They also acknowledge the terroir where their grapes are grown.
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| Domingo Molina Back Label © Spaswinefood |
Next, we taste our first Cafayate Petit Verdot.
3. Domingo Molina, Valle De Cafayate Petit Verdot 2015
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| Domingo Molina, Valle De Cafayate Petit Verdot 2015 © Spaswinefood |
I must say I love this wine.
4. Domingo Molina, Valles Calchaquis Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
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| Domingo Molina, Valles Calchaquis Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 © Spaswinefood |
Likewise I am introduced to a Cafayate Tannat.
5. Domingo Molina, Valles Calchaquis Tannat 2014
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| Domingo Molina, Valles Calchaquis Tannat 2014 © Spaswinefood |
Indeed this is an awesome Tannat, with such refined tannins. Over the course of our stay I came to appreciate the uniqueness of the Tannat wines from the Cafayate wine region. Overall we enjoyed all the Domingo Molina wines we tasted. The service at the winery was excellent. Given that these were delightful wines we just had to buy some to enjoy later. Domingo Molina wines are available in the US from the Southern Hemisphere Wine Center and the San Francisco Wine Trading Company.
I should also mention we could not resist buying one of the locally produced ponchos. Both were amongst my favorite colors (purple and green). In the end I decided on the green one.
Yes, Domingo Molina is just down Camino a Yacochuya from Bodega San Pedro de Yacochuya. In the same area as you will also find Piattelli Vineyards.
We so enjoyed discovering the special offerings at each of these top wineries. After wine tasting that day we headed onto Piattelli Vineyards for lunch.
Things to do In/Near Cafayate
Besides wine explorations along Cafayate’s Ruta Del Vino just north of Cafayate, on Ruta 68, you can check out the beautiful canyons, such as Quebrada de Cafayate on the Rio Conchas. Visitors to Cafayate can also journey north on Ruta 40 to Molinos where you can take a ripio (gravel) road detour to visit Colomé Winery, one of Argentina’s top wineries. Cafayate, home to indigenous people, the Kallchaki is also known as the Cradle of Folklore.
Getting to/from Cafayate
Cafayate does not have an airport and is only accessible by car or bus. The shortest route (Ruta 68) is 165 kilometers of winding road from Salta, capital city of Salta Province. Flights to Salta from Buenos Aires and other major cities in Argentina are available on Aerolinas Argentinas and other carriers. It is well worth the effort because Cafayate wineries are delightful to visit. Moreover Cafayate offers an excellent range of choices for restaurants and accommodations. While in Cafayate we stayed at Patios de Cafayate at Bodega El Esteco a great place to return to each day after our wine country explorations.
Domingo Molina was a must visit along Salta's Ruta Del Vino. A Winerist article list it as one of Top 5 wineries in Cafayate wine country. Without doubt Cafayate is an absolute must for wine enthusiasts. Cafayate is indeed a very special place. Did I say Cafayate is #1 on the list of 2017 Best Wine Destinations? Naturally, this Spaswinefood enthusiast looks forward to writing about our Argentine wine country explorations on Salta’s Ruta Del Vino. You can check out my travels in Argentina and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
Sharon
January 2017
Cafayate, Salta Province
Argentina
© Spaswinefood
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Domingo Molina, Valles Calchaquis Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 © Spaswinefood
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