Caring for the Land: A Way of Life at Los Potreros
OUR APPROACH
At Estancia Los Potreros, caring for the land is part of how we preserve our heritage, support our community and welcome our guests. As a family-run working estancia in the Sierras Chicas of Córdoba, we aim to care for the natural environment, support the people around us and continually improve the way we operate for generations to come.
We take practical steps to use resources carefully, reduce waste and packaging, reuse materials and make greater use of renewable energy. We also work to maintain the traditions and character of the estancia while looking for ways to improve our day-to-day operations.
Our approach extends to supporting local culture and rural livelihoods. We prioritise local employment, work with nearby suppliers and producers wherever possible, and celebrate the traditions, food and heritage of Córdoba as an important part of the guest experience.
Animal welfare and responsible horsemanship are part of everyday life at Los Potreros. The care of our horses and livestock is an important responsibility, reflected in the daily work of our team and the way we manage life on the estancia.
We believe that a meaningful guest experience comes from a genuine connection with the place and its people. By combining hospitality with practical efforts to care for our surroundings and support our community, we hope to share the character of Los Potreros with every guest.
We continue to look for opportunities to improve how we operate, from monitoring our use of resources and reducing waste to learning more about local biodiversity and strengthening relationships with nearby producers and organisations.
Our family has lived and worked on this land for generations. Looking after Los Potreros means respecting the landscape, people and traditions that have shaped it, while considering how we can help protect its future. In 2025, we joined The Long Run, a global community of nature-based tourism businesses working towards positive change through the 4Cs: Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. Our membership gives us an opportunity to learn from others and continue developing our approach.
ENERGY & FOOD: FROM NATURE, WITH RESPECT
Our solar installation and battery storage help supply electricity to the estancia and reduce our reliance on the backup generator. At a remote property where the power supply can be challenging, this system is an important part of how we manage our energy needs. We continue to look for practical ways to make better use of the resources available to us.
Our approach to food brings together produce from the estancia and ingredients from local suppliers. We serve beef raised on the estancia, eggs from our own chickens and seasonal produce from our garden, alongside ingredients sourced from farmers and family-run producers in Córdoba wherever possible. Working with local suppliers helps us maintain close relationships with the people who produce our food and make use of ingredients as they come into season.
In the kitchen, we look for ways to reduce food waste and make the most of our ingredients. Surplus food is used internally where possible, while suitable preparation waste is fed to our chickens or composted. We also preserve and pickle seasonal produce, allowing us to use ingredients beyond their immediate harvest.
We take practical steps to reduce packaging and single-use materials. Many dry goods are purchased in bulk, and jars and pots are reused for products such as yoghurt and jams. We have also moved away from single-use plastic water bottles: every guest receives a reusable metal water bottle at the beginning of their stay.
These are ongoing efforts, and we continue to look for further opportunities to reduce waste and make more considered use of the resources we bring onto the estancia.
CONSERVATION & COMMUNITY: LIVING IN HARMONY
The landscape of the Sierras Chicas supports a wide variety of wildlife, including species such as foxes, hares and the Andean condor. We want to develop our understanding of the plants and animals around us and are working towards a more systematic approach to monitoring local flora and fauna. We also value opportunities to learn from researchers and local organisations working in the region.
University researchers have used the estancia as a field site for work on topics including non-native plant control and habitat regeneration. These projects contribute to a wider understanding of the landscape and the challenges involved in caring for it.
Our commitment to the local community is equally important. We have long supported our local rural school, and funds raised through our on-site shop have helped contribute to community initiatives, including support for a new school. We also welcome opportunities for guests to contribute useful supplies to local projects, guided by the needs identified by the organisations involved.
We continue to build on these relationships by exploring partnerships with local schools, supporting community initiatives and strengthening our network of nearby suppliers and producers.
Our membership of The Long Run reflects our interest in learning and improving across Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. For us, this is an ongoing process: finding practical ways to care for the land, support our community, celebrate the culture of the estancia and build a resilient future for Los Potreros.
For our family, looking after Los Potreros means looking after the land, the people and the traditions that have shaped it for generations.
