It all started back in 1870 when Enrique Forgues, who was born in France, purchased 7000 hectares of land in Tapalqué and proceeded to create what is now know as Estancia La Margarita. In those times, La Margarita was a stopover for travelling gauchos and occasional courageous explorers who crossed the pampas on their way south. At La Margarita they changed horses and rested under the shade of eucalyptus trees, many of which still stand today.  The region at that time was a relatively dangerous place; marauding Indians were an occasional threat as they pillaged private property and kidnapped newcomers if they were denied what they wanted.

A century and a half later, peace and calmness reigns at La Margarita.  The estancia is in
the heart of gaucho country, and the life of the pampas goes on in much the same way as it did in the 1800s. Horses are still the preferred method of transport when working on the estancia, just as asados are cooked and mate drunk in the same way as they were in those bygone days. In fact in many ways not much has changed in this vast, beautiful area, and one cannot help but be uplifted by the tranquil and stress-free way of life that visitors can experience when they visit La Margarita and surrounding areas. Here you can discover a way of life that has long disappeared in many parts of the modern world.

Enrique Forgues had three daughters. Two of them, Enriqueta Zamboni de Aguiló and Mercedes Aguiló, inherited the La Margarita at his death. The family continued to successfully farm the estancia for four generations. It was subdivided over the years, and parts were given to sons and daughters of the family. Huge amounts of land are still in the hands of the original inheritors, such as the 1000 hectares next to La Margarita owned by Diago Aguilo, great great great grandson of Enrique Forgues. A map of the original estancia can be seen in the main living room.

The estancia house was eventually inherited by Enriqueta Aguiló, great great great granddaughter of Enrique Forgues. She farmed the land and also opened the doors of La Margarita to rural tourists with great success. However, with her immediate family now living in the UK and with a growing need to retire, she finally made the difficult decision to sell La Margarita in 2006, ending its 137 year ownership by the same family.

David Cummings, a London born, former professional musician who had been living in France, first came to the Margarita as a guest in early 2006. He immediately fell in love with the estancia. When he learned that Enriqueta was thinking about selling, he immediately decided to make her an offer, which in her own words, was “painfully accepted.”

David is committed to maintaining the traditions of the estancia while updating its facilities. He explains his first encounter with La Margarita, "When I first sat in the galley one year ago with Enriqueta, I sensed something magical in the place. Surrounded by the huge, open sky, I felt revived and refreshed just by being here.” The experience is one David still has each time he is on the estancia, and he is determined to share it with others.

The estancia currently devotes itself to rural tourism, cattle breeding, and some agricultural activities. Guests are invited to experience first-hand the beauty of the Argentinean pampas and the authentic gaucho lifestyle, just as travellers would have 150 years ago but with the modern comforts that La Margarita can offer. It is an experience you won’t want to forget!