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Cabras de Cafayate or goat cheese is one of the flagship products in northwest Argentina.
While in Argentina exploring the local food specialties, we visited Cafayate, the second wine producing region in the country.
Our goal was to discover the famous Torrentes wine. But little did we know that we would also find a goat farm in a winery.
On our quest to learn about Torrentés wine, we found out about Cabras de Cafayate, a goat farm in the Domingo Hermanos winery.
To our delight, Cabras de Cafayate proposed a goat farm tour followed by a delicious cheese tasting.
Here’s what to expect on a visit to a goat farm in a winery.
What Is Cabras de Cafayate: A Unique Goat Farm
Cabras de Cafayate is a goat farm in a winery located in Cafayate city. This one-of-a-kind farm is actually a part of the renowned Domingo Hermanos winery.
On the goat farm, there are a few different breeds of goats kept in several different fenced fields.
Fresh milk is produced every day. It is used to make the best curd and goat cheese knowns as Quesos de Cabras de Cafayate, Argentina.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Cafayate is renowned for Argentinian Tannat and Torrontes wines and its quaint wineries. This half day winery tour takes you to the best wineries in the Cafayate region. Over a 4-hour period, you’ll visit two wineries for tastings and vineyard tours. You’ll also stop at the Museum of Vine and Wine. To learn more about Cafayate and the wineries to visit, check our guide to the wineries to visit in Cafayate.
Cabras de Cafayate History
In the 1990s, the winery originally acquired goats with the intention of using goat excrement as a fertilizer for the vineyards.
Later on, as goat meat became popular on local menus, goats were slaughtered and sold to the local restaurants.
It was at this time when Palo Domingo, the owner of Domingo Hermanos had a vision. He put his son to the task of an ambitious project. To create an artisanal fabrication of goat cheese.
Until the Cabras de Cafayate goat farm was created, farmers didn’t account much for “clean” production.
The artisanal goat cheese was produced marginally and without much sanitary control.
Today, Cabras de Cafayate is a reference in goat cheese production with modern and mechanized dairy farm with strict sanitary rules.
The Domingo Hermanos Winery And Wines
The Domingo Hermanos Winery in Cafayate is a family run bodega with a strong reputation and history.
With vineyards located in high altitudes in the northwest region of Argentina, this winery makes high quality wines since the 1960s.
The winery produces a number of different wine varieties including Argentina’s flagship Torrontes and Malbec wines.
Other wine varieties include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat, Merlot and Syrah. While visiting the goat farm, you will be able to taste their wines paired with the goat cheeses.
Dairy Farm Tour and Visit
The tour of the goat farm starts in the goat breeding area in the beautiful outdoors.
A guide from Cabras de Cafayate goat farm will walk you around sharing stories about the goats and the farm.
You will not enter the dairy farm immediately. Instead, you’ll have a chance to meet the goats in their natural environment, and even meet the baby goats.
Later on, you get to enter in the dairy building where the animals are milked every single day.
Goats Fed with Grapes and Milked to Music
To keep an account of the feeding and diet of the goats, they are all separated by age. The baby goats of one year old which are not producing milk, stay in one barn.
Milk producing goats between 2-8 years of age stay in a separate barn. A strict and essential diet is applied, which is one of the particularities that makes this dairy farm so special.
We were surprised to hear that the goats eat the residue from the grapes pressed at the winery.
Another fun fact is that the milking process is done once a day while music is playing. Each goat produces an average of 2 liters of goat milk. And relaxing music in the background ensures there’s no stress hormones in the milk.
From their diet, rich flavonoids, tannins and antioxidants to their comfort, eveyrthing is optimized for milk quality and quantity.
RELATED: Mas Alba: Artisanal Goat Cheese You Want to Taste in Girona Spain
Cabras de Cafayate: A Goat Cheese Producer
Cabras de Cafayate started selling their cheese products in 2006, and they now sell their cheese overseas.
To this day, all the dairy products are produced on-site with 100% goat’s milk.
Outside of the dairy, you will see the animals being fed close to the barn. Next, you enter the dairy building where the cheese is made.
Everything is behind glass and you won’t be able to see much of it. Though, you will catch sight of the production area. The lab next door certifies the traceability of the milk back to the animals and the quality.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Learn about goat cheese in an online Cheese Tasting Class. This virtual class with a cheese professional introduces you to a variety of cheeses including pairing tips. You’ll learn how to create an elegant cheese board and you will receive 5 specialty cheeses and two accompaniments.
Cabras de Cafayate Queso or Cheese
Though Queso de Cabras in Argentina is a delicacy, it is not a one-of-a kind product as there are different types available.
Cabras de Cafayate goat farm produces four types of queso de cabras. There is a Natural queso, a goat cheese made without any adds-on.
They also make Ahumado or smoked cheeses. Pategras de Cabras, another one of their cheeses, is a type of gouda that is very popular in Argentina.
And, finally they also make a variety of goat cheeses with herbs and spices added. Discover Aji (chile pepper), Albahaca (Basil), Provenzal (Provencal Herbs) and Oregano (oregano).
The cheeses are mainly sold in 200g packages. You can also find larger packages of 1.5 kg all the way up to an entire portion of 8kg.
You’ll find fresh soft cheese or queso fresco. There is semi firm cheese that can be stored for 3 to 4 months. And, a hard cheese that can be stored up to 8 months.
At the time of our visit, they were planning on producing two new types of cheeses. A fat-free cheese and a Blue cheese similar to Roquefort.
All the cheese products are packaged fresh on site without the use of preservatives. So if you buy one for home, make sure to eat it within 5 months after purchase.
The price of a portion of cheese starts at 480 ARS pesos, approximately, $3.7 USD. For that quality, it is real bargain.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: If you would like to try Argentina cheese, you can have it shipped directly to your home. Pampa Direct, the largest online store with products from South America has a delicious selection of Argentinian cheeses. Try soft cheeses, semi hard cheese like Pategrás, Reggianito queso and more.
Cheese Tasting At Cabras de Cafayate
As part of the tour, trying various cheese samples come last but it is the best part.
Four different cheeses are offered as part of the cheese tasting experience. The selection focuses on the semi-firm Cabras de Cafayate cheeses.
We tried Natural, Aji, Provenzal, and Pategras de Cabra. Overall, we found the cheese to be mild, earthy and grassy tasting.
The Pategras was the mildest of all the cheeses, a contrast to the usual tangy flavor of goat cheese.
The natural cheese was my favorite because you can taste the cheese without the spices to mask the original flavor.
The tour and tasting experience took about one hour and costs 800 ARS pesos, approximately $6.10 USD.
It was an extremely interesting experience diving into the world of goat cheese. We learned that only fresh white cheese comes from goats milk. And when cheese is yellow in color it comes from cows milk.
There are several health benefits of goat cheese. Goat cheese is “alkaline” our guide told us, making it easy to digest without causing heartburn.
Cheese made from goats is also said to reduce cholesterol. And, of note, it has a much higher Vitamin A content than cheese from cows.
Knowing this made us feel good about eating more goat cheese. And, these facts will make your Cabras de Cafayate visit even more tasty.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Enjoy cheese tasting at home with the perfect cheese bite kit comprised of three specialty cheeses. You’ll savor a goat cheese, a creamy soft cheese and a delightful cheddar cheese. Free shipping included.
In Summary
Visiting Cabras de Cafayate gave us a deeper appreciation for goat cheese, the local speciality.
Discovering the farm within the Domingo Hermanos winery elevated the experience.
The opportunity to combine two northern Argentinian specialties, goat cheese and Torrontes wine is a highlight in the area.
With the goat farm located in a beautiful setting amongst vineyards, it is absolutely worth a visit. If your travels take you to Cafayate, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the traditional cheese.
Have you had goat cheese or any Argentinian cheeses before? Please let us know in the comments below.
Savor The Adventure!
Looking for More Argentinian Local Food Experiences?
Our book, Authentic Food Quest Argentina takes you on a journey through food in four main regions of Argentina. Buenos Aires, Mendoza & the Wine Regions, the Andean Northwest, and Patagonia & the Lake Region.
In it, you’ll find descriptions of the typical dishes, desserts, beverages, street food and unique produce not to miss. Also included is an overview of the farmers markets and local stores, restaurants, wineries and local producers worth visiting.
Throughout the guide, are stories and insights shared by local experts including Argentina’s most renowned Chef, Francis Mallmann.
By combining storytelling with local information, this unique guidebook that inspires intrepid and armchair travelers to savor their adventures in Argentina.
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Claire is co-founder of Authentic Food Quest and a lover of simple and exquisite cuisine. Since 2015, with her partner, Rosemary, she has been traveling the world as a digital nomad, creating content about local food experiences.
Her advice from visiting 45 countries and more than 240 food cities has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post. She has also co-authored three books, including one in collaboration with Costa Brava Tourism.
An ex-mechanical engineer, Claire is responsible for SEO, keeping the website running, and the fun food & travel videos on YouTube.
When Claire is not eating, she can be found running or cycling. Find out more about Authentic Food Quest
I’m fascinated by how tradition of finest European cheese production is carried on in Argentina – just with more breath-taking views as a backdrop 😉
You are so right Anastasia, learning about the goat cheese manufacturing process was incredibly fascinating. Indeed the backdrop and delicious Cafayate wines make a nice complement to the cheese!! Thanks so much for your comments.
Hi girls, my name is Manuel, I´m from Argentina, funny coincidence, I´ve found you by accident, looking for some information to upload to a friend´s page.
Actually he leads a tour company in Cafayate Argentina, and I´m giving him some help with a new web page proyect.
Frankly speaking, I fell in love with Cafayate, it´s a little city with many things to do and to learn, from it´s interesting winery culture and ethnic cuisine to breathtaking landscapes and amazing folk histories.
I feel sorry for the “lack of a translator”, it would make your visit even much more enjoyable.
On the other hand your I found your note really charming and interesting.
If you need more information about our “folklore” feel free to ask, and if you want me to, I will send to you my friend´s new web page link within the next couple of weeks for you to discover a bit more of Cafayate.
Just a little correction, the wine is “Torrontés” not Torrentés as mentioned in the article.
Stay well, blessings!!!!!
Manuel.
Hi Manuel, thanks for your note and comments. You are right, Cafayate is a charming city with so much to offer. We wished we had more time in Cafayate to really enjoy the region. Yes, please do share any information about folklore and your friend’s new web page link. It would be great to support local tour companies in the lovely region of Cafayate. Thanks for the note about Torrontes – we’ve made the change 🙂 Please stay in touch and send us the information. Be well, Rosemary and Claire
Hi Claire and Rosemary,
What a fantastic experience you had! I love dairy products and at least twice a week I drink goat milk. I also use goat cheese in my food. It is impressive how they don’t separate the newborn goats from their mothers. Many big farms do that which is really sad. The photos are amazing as well, especially the ones with the newborn goats!
Zaria
Thanks so much Zaria for your enthusiasm and your comments. That’s amazing that you drink goat milk that frequently. On the other hand, we eat it quite regularly. Glad you like the photos. We were very impressed with how they take care of their goats – the feeding, the lots, the music, everything 🙂 Cheers!
Thank you for sharing! I love goat cheese, so I was glad to hear about the health benefits. And it’s terrific to see that the goats are kept well and fed with care. But I don’t really need an excuse to eat more goat cheese.
The last surprising food tour I went on was in Tokyo where I ate chicken hearts and gizzards. But I will eat absolutely anything so I liked it, especially the chicken heart.
Wow, that’s interesting – chicken heart and gizzards!! Good for you for being brave. You are right, sometimes the most delicious things are the surprising parts of the animals. Yum! No need for excuses to eat more goat cheese…just providing the additional benefits..:) Thanks for your comments Stella.
What an awesome trip! These goats look so adorable! I love animals and I could spend hours with them outside playing!
Thanks Agness for your comments. Great experience and lots of fun and learning. Our goal is to inspire people to travel through food and specifically what is local and authentic. Hope you can get to see the goats in Cafayate for yourself soon. Cheers.
I really find the different types of cheese fascinating. But I am sooooo bad with recognizing them 🙂 You can give me mozzarella and I will say its cheddar haha
That’s funny!! The trick is to participate in cheese tasting…the more you participate the more you will remember the cheeses 🙂 Thanks for your comments!
So unusual, and I love Argentinian wine (actually I love all wine). And I love goats cheese too. And I really want to visit Argentina Asaph. Consider this added to the list. Thanks for sharing something unique ?
Great Aimee. So glad you added this experience to you list. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about your future trip to Argentina. You will absolutely enjoy the goat farm in the winery. Cheers 🙂
Yes to wine and cheese! I discovered Torrentes when I traveled to Argentina as well, but didn’t visit the region. I love how eco-conscious the farm is and how adorable the newborns are. What a treat it must’ve been to visit!
If you want to read more about experiential foodie delights, visit me at TheWanderlusteur.com
Thanks for your comments Monica. Did you like Torrentes wines? We absolutely enjoyed them. Great experience visiting the farm and one you should not miss if you go back to Argentina. Will check out your site. Cheers!
What a unique place! I love that they are fed grapes and milked to music! It kind of reminds me of Kobe beef, where the cows are massaged. I love unique places like this and if you add baby goats to the mix, you absolutely have my vote hands down (they are the cutest)!!!
Wow, cows getting a massage. How fascinating. It’s interesting, don’t you think that the better the animals are treated the higher quality the products. Agreed, the cute goats did make the experience even more special 🙂 Thanks for your comments Tamar.
Wow, what a nice post! Now I really want some goat cheese haha. It looked like a fun trip!
You are right, it was a great trip and one that we recommend highly. The goat cheese was also surprisingly delicious without the tangy taste goat cheese sometimes has. Glad you enjoyed the post 🙂
I absolutely LOVE the fact that the goats eat grapes! What a fun and different place to visit 😀
Appreciate your feedback. Actually, the goats don’t eat the grapes. The grapes are used for making the wines 🙂 The goats eat the residue and left-overs from the wine making process. Cheers!
That sounds like such an amazing stop of your wine tour. Obviously cheese and wine go together quite well. When I was in Argentina I visited a polo farm and was exposed to horse breeding first hand! Argentina is full of surprises!! But it definitely has amazing wine!
You are so right Stephanie, Argentina is full of surprises. How wonderful you were able to visit a polo farm. It must have been quite an experience 🙂 It was our first time seeing a goat cheese farm on a winery and we were quite intrigued. Great cheese and delicious wines. Thanks for your comments!
This is the second time I’ve stumbled upon this post, and it is awesome! Goat cheese and red wines are two of my favorite things, so this would be right up my alley. Your pictures are awesome too, and really show off the place well 🙂
Thanks so much Jessica! Hope you can make it to Cafayate at some point in the near future. Cheers
Loved this article! Especially that I’m thinking to visit Argentina in some months 🙂 And I love experiences like this so I will try to see this on my own 🙂
That’s wonderful Ulli that you will be visiting Argentina in the coming months. If you get to Cafayate, do absolutely visit Cabras des Cafayate. Do make sure to check out the site for the dishes to try on your trip. See this link for a recent article on foodie experiences in Buenos Aires: https://www.authenticfoodquest.com/10-authentic-foodie-buenos-aires-2/ Thanks for your comments!
Oh my gosh – this is like my personal nirvana. Baby goats, goats cheese and wine all in the one spot. Amazing! The cheese looks quite different to the goats cheese I have generally had which is more like curd. In Australia there’s a company that marinates the cheese in olive oil. It is divine!
Yes, your personal nirvana exists in Cafayate, Argentina 🙂 We were also quite surprised by the cheese, both in form and in taste. Ohh…goat cheese in olive oil? That indeed sounds like heaven. Thanks Katy for your comments!
I would love to own a goad, if I ever move to Argentina or India:) And I love the fact that you are encouraging authentic experiences while travelling
Thanks Maria, so glad that you are enjoying our mission. We truly believe that experiences can be enhanced even further through authentic food experiences. Appreciate your feedback!
I love goats and goat cheese but I wish I liked wine a bit more. Maybe I need to do some of these wine tours. I love beer and will visit a brewery any day…but wine not so much…great post!!!
Thanks Chris. The great news about the goat farm tour is that you don’t have to drink the wines. Enjoy what you like best – the goat cheese and accompany that with a great local beer. No need to write off the experience entirely, just participate in what you enjoy. Cafayate is known for white wines which are very unique, unfortunately not for the beer 🙂 Thanks for your comments!
It seems to be a really unique experience. Happy for the goats 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
So glad you enjoyed reading the post. We aim to inspire people to enjoy authentic foodie experiences on their travels. Hope you can visit a goat farm on your travels soon. Thanks for your comments.
I wasn’t sure if I’ve already commented on this, but I have to say, I love goats. My son just saw one for the first time at ‘goatchella’ here in San Francisco and he LOVED them! This is a great post! Keep up the good work! <3
Thanks so much Krysten. That’s wonderful that a “goatchella” exists and that your son enjoyed the goats. That’s absolutely awesome. Out of curiosity, did they have any goat cheese available? Appreciate your comments on the post 🙂
Well it looks like a pretty humane way to farm goats. These farmers seem to care about the well-being of these goats (for their own benefit but still admirable).
Thanks Hung, they say it makes a big difference to the taste how animals are reared. In this case, the farm really took good care of the goats. As a result, the cheese is delicious and some of the best from the country. Have you ever visited a goat farm? Thanks for your comments!
I absolutely love goat cheese, so this tour has my name written all over it! I visited a goat farm where they produce all kinds of goat cheese products including ice cream and truffles in Maui, Hawaii and it was fun. I have never seen a goat farm associated with a winery and I like the fact that they use the grape clippings in their diet, I bet you can taste it in the cheese. I am not sure I’ve been on a surprising food tour, but I have done a lot of food tours and it is how I like to introduce myself to a new locale – best way to learn the local specialties!
Could not have said it any better…”the best way to learn about a new locale is through the local specialties.” Yes. Yes and Yes! The cheese tasted amazing and the other surprising thing was the lack of smell or bad odor. Everything was so clean and the goats smelled good 🙂 Unfortunately, they did not make goat ice cream or truffles. That must have been so much fun to experience in Maui. Thanks for your comments Andi 🙂
Those goats look SO well cared for. I’m sure the cheese was delicious. My most suprising food tour was to a donkey farm where I was given donkey milk to drink!
Oh wow!! A donkey farm and donkey milk. What did it taste like? Did you like it? Did they make any products from the milk? Truly the goats were well loved and taken care of. Thanks for your comments Fiona!
What an amazing experience! I would love to try that goat cheese. 🙂
I personally love goat cheese, goat meat and wine, this sounds like a perfect outing to me! I have visited a vineyard in Florida where they had an attached goat farm however, goats definitely weren’t milked to music, in fact they used to keep the goats away to prevent them from chomping on the grape leaves!
Thanks Prateek. So glad to hear that this kind of tour would be right up your alley. Milking to music does apparently help with the production. That’s funny about Florida! A different approach indeed 🙂 Thanks for your comments.
So cute! Sounds like it was a lot of fun!
How interesting! I love that the goat farm and winery are together–makes for a great pairing. I love that they play music for the goats! The tasting looks like fun too. It’s always nice to learn about where your food comes from–I’d love to visit sometime!
Thanks Jenna, quite an unusual combination of a goat farm and winery. When learned how they raise the goats and tasted the cheese, we understood completely. Hope you can visit…it is lots of fun 🙂
I love goats! They’re so cute <3 While I don't eat goat cheese (I am vegan), thank you for the pictures of the goats…I want to hug them all!
Thanks Lauren. You are welcome. The goats are indeed pretty cute 🙂
Saw your goat pic on Instagram and knew I was in for a treat. 🙂 I have never been to a winery that featured goats too, what a cool combo. We used to own a goat called curly, later in life renamed bunter as every time we walked past him, he’d bunt the back of your legs. Perhaps we should of tried playing soothing tunes to him. Lol! Adding to my list of places to visit for sure. 🙂
That’s great….music and in particular classical music may have helped 🙂 Love the evolution of your goat’s name. Did you make goat cheese? Yes, indeed Cafayate, Argentina is worth visiting. Thanks for your comments!
I have been to several wineries and a couple of goat farms. But I have never been to a goat farm in a winery. Amazing that this place has combined two of my favourites, Argentinian wine and goat cheese!
We were so surprised to see the combination of goat cheese and wine as well. Agree, two delicious things! Do check it out the next time you find yourself in Argentina. Cheers!
I have not yet had the opportunity to visit a goat farm in a winery, but hopefully I will one day since goat cheese and wine are two of the greatest pleasures in life. I guess I’ll have to learn Spanish first though if I want to visit Cabras de Cafayate.
Learning a few basic words of Spanish will go a long way. Regardless, you would be able to enjoy the goats and the wine tasting! Hope you can make it to Cafayate soon. Cheers!
Happy goats make happy cheese! I’d love to visit these cuties followed by sampling some tasty Argentinian wine.
Thanks Brianna, indeed, happy goats make happy cheese. The goat farm was in the process of adding wines to their goat cheese tasting. If you find yourself in Cafayate, do check out the farm. Cheers!
Good to hear how well the goats are treated and I do love their cheese 🙂 Really interesting facts about goat cheese as opposed to cow.
You are right Sarah, goat cheese is incredibly delicious. We were also surprised to learn the benefits over cheese from cows. Glad you enjoyed reading the post. Cheers.
Torrentes is one of my favorites. We did some wine tasting in that area too. But we didn’t get to see the goats! How fun.
Yes, Torrentes wines…so good and delicious. Too bad you missed the goat farm…for the next trip perhaps 🙂 Cheers!
Sounds like a good life for a goat, milked to music! To answer your question, no, I have never visited a goat farm in a winery or thought it was even possible. It must have been a great and delicious expedition.
Thanks Carol, apparently when goats are milked to music and are stress-free, they produce more milk. Not bad indeed! On your next travels, check and see if there is a goat farm in the area. You will be pleasantly surprised 🙂 Thanks for your comments.