The farm with its fertile land and vineyards on the river Calchaqui with arid hills and snow-capped mountains has a long history. The Estancia belonged to Don Juan Artie de Urbana in the year 1603. The farm made part of a vast 'encomienda' (a grant by royal decree of villages and its inhabitants - the Diaguitas tribe). In 1767 it passed by inheritance to Nicolas Severo de Isasmendi, the last appointed governor by the Spanish king. After his death the farm passed from hand to hand and the whole estancia began to lay in ruins. In 2002 the present owner, Count Jan van Limburg Stirum, bought the estate and started to restore the fields for agriculture and thereafter he began to restore the old house ( the 'sala').
The Banda Grande estate sponsors a number of local programmes in our surrounding communities especially in schools. We believe it is important to create future perspectives and find a balance between introducing new technologies and preserving the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Flora and fauna and the private nature reserve 'Cañones de Acsibi' ('Acsibi' meaning 'red earth' in Cacan). The canyons are formed throughout millions of years by glaciers and wind. Inhabited by over a 170 species of birds like: eagles, falcons , owls and of course the Andean condor. But also smaller birds are to be found like hummingbirds, partridges, plovers, duck, geese, snipe, doves, parots among others. Pumas, guanaco's, vizcachas, foxes and hares are also abundant, as are wild donkeys. Sometimes Taruca deer will appear. These are very rare and we are doing everything in our power to protect them.