La Estancia de Cafayate is dedicated to creating a sustainable community through the construction of environmentally friendly homes, the proper use of the natural open spaces, or the active participation to facilitate the community’s social needs. La Estancia de Cafayate aims to establish a sustainability that will endure for years to come. Here are some examples of our efforts:
Sustainability is about creating and maintaining quality of life for people. Since our inception in 2006, the golf course construction, the vineyard plantings, the infrastructure projects and the construction of common buildings has generated more than 500 new jobs in Cafayate. Also, with the operational progress of the development, 260 new direct jobs will be created. In addition, the residential homes that are under construction have provided work for 25 people per home.
La Estancia de Cafayate assisted the local hospital to create a center for addiction treatment and prevention and has also helped raise money from it’s members for school donations. La Estancia also hosts school children on property to enhance their educational experiences.
The water at La Estancia comes from 3 artisan wells that are 200 meters below the ground. The melting snow of the high mountain peaks refills these wells which has a perfect pH balance. The lakes system serves as irrigation for our golf course and vineyards. The lakes at La Estancia have not only contributed to the preservation of water, but also the proliferation of a new natural habitat for different species of birds, which were not present on the property before. The property’s grey water treatment plant uses an anaerobic method of recycling the sewage product into clean and reusable water. The clean water is then used for the irrigation of the polo field and surrounding alfalfa fields.
The roads within the property have been specifically designed to preserve as much native flora as possible. Having paved road allows for carefree transportation within the development, but the nature of the fine gravel used to create the pavement has a subtle impact, environmentally and visually. The sides of the roads will be left in their natural state, without any finishing or curbs to avoid additional construction and maintain a rustic look. In addition, the public lighting used on the roads is sporadic and of low voltage, minimizing the use of electricity and allowing for unaltered views of the awe inspiring Cafayate stars.
The Design Regulations for the construction of buildings and homes establishes the standard of such constructions to be designed in a way that blends with the surrounding landscapes. The buildings are made with local and natural materials, are restricted to exceed a certain height, and apply colors that emulate the natural backdrops. In order to ensure a minimal use of the natural resources, it is encouraged to use native flora for the landscaping of exterior spaces.
