The Estancia
This traditional Patagonian sheep ranch raises Australian merino sheep for wool production. As from September, visitors can witness the different activities related to sheep farming: marking, shearing, and sheep enclosure with the help of the herding dogs.
The shearing barn was reconditioned to serve as a country restaurant, visitor center and mini shop for local products and ranch souvenirs.
An additional interest for tourism are the marine fossils that crop out in the cliffs and gullies that run down to the sea. Many of these fossils can be observed in the Gulley of Fossils.
Visitors can also see the ruins of the old sea lion factory as between 1917 and 1953 commercial killings of sea lions took place at San Lorenzo for their blubber and skin.
Our story
“We are part of a pioneer family that arrived in Patagonia in the early 20th Century. We believe that the best tribute to our parents and grandparents, who through their hard work proved their commitment to Peninsula Valdes, is to preserve this place for present and future generations. This is why we focus our actions on Environmental Sustainability”.
Machinea Family
The Sheep Ranch San Lorenzo belongs to the Machinea family. It is a family of Basque origin.Our grandfather Lorenzo (1879-1964) arrived in Peninsula Valdes in 1900.
In an auction of public land held in 1907 he purchased the land that would later become the present ranch.During his second voyage to Argentina he met Justina Betelu (1890-1972), whom he married in 1909.
The second of their eight children, José Martín Machinea (1911-2007), eventually became the second owner of the ranch. He married Beatriz Rey (1914-2010). Today, the owners of San Lorenzo are the descendants from Jose and Beatriz: José Luís Machinea (son) and Sebastián Machinea (grandson).
Natural and Cultural Heritage
San Lorenzo’s coastline hosts wide open beaches as well as cliff areas. The action of erosion and the passing of time left ancient fossilized reef areas exposed in cliffs and gullies. They are true witness to a warm sea that flooded the region 20 million years ago.
Even before the arrival of the Tehuelche natives, these dunes were inhabited by men and women over 2,000 years ago. Their existence and way of life can be interpreted through animal remains and stone artifacts characteristic of their culture.
In younger times, between 1917 and 1953 a sea lion oil factory functioned on the beach. Its ruins can be visited nowadays as part of Peninsula Valdes’ historical heritage.
Together with Magellanic penguins, San Lorenzo offers the possibility of observing elephant seals, guanacos, rheas, owls, cavies and a great diversity of birds. Eventually, also Right whales and orca can be sighted.
