Catena Zapata

Brand Description

In 1902, Nicola Catena, an Italian immigrant, planted his first vineyard in Mendoza, Argentina. The winery has remained under family control — now in its fourth generation — and is one of the few family-owned wine companies in Argentina that remains in Argentine hands. Owned today by Nicolás Catena and his daughter Laura, Catena Zapata is known as the pioneer of fine wine from Argentina, and Nicolás is recognized as the vintner who revolutionized wine quality in Argentina. A trained economist, Nicolás began this revolution in the early 1980s and continues to challenge himself and his team to make wines that can be counted among the best in the world. His measured approach to viticulture has taken its place in wine history as the pioneer of Malbec and high-altitude viticulture.

Catena wines, first launched in 1992, set a new standard for quality in South America. The wines immediately proved the quality potential of Argentina and garnered the first outstanding reviews for Argentine wines from worldwide media. After more than 20 years, the wines of Catena continue to lead the way in Argentine viticulture and winemaking. The family and the winery’s employees take great pride in carrying on the tradition that began over a century ago.

Location of Vineyard

The Catena family’s estate vineyards are located in the premier growing regions of Villa Bastías, Tupungato; Agrelo, Lujan de Cuyo; Lunlunta, Maipu; Gualtallary, Tupungato and La Consulta, San Carlos. Nicolás believes the terroir of Mendoza's high altitude wine country (3,000 - 5,000 feet above sea level) is unique to the world, and the reality of this belief is expressed in every bottle of Catena wine crafted.

Winemaking Philosophy

Catena Classic - The Catena wines are made from 100% estate-grown fruit from the Catena family’s high-altitude vineyards. These wines are a blend of single varietals from various locations within these vineyard sites. Each vineyard is farmed in preparation for its role in the final blend, and each is harvested and vinified separately in order to preserve the unique expression, aromas and flavors of the fruit. This ultimately brings to the blend the strengths of each vineyard, adding a heightened complexity to the final wine.

Catena Alta - In the early 1990s, the Catena Alta wines set new standards for Argentine wine internationally, paving the way for a new category of high-end wines from Argentina. With these wines, Catena Zapata continued their pioneering efforts being the first to release Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay of this quality from Mendoza’s high-altitude wine country.

It is a truth among viticulturalists that every vineyard has a sweet spot: a series of rows, known as a lot, that produce better quality fruit. Differences in soil structure, clonal selection, row orientation, slope or plantation density result in a mix of wine character and concentration that gives the barrels from these rows a one-of-a-kind personality. The Catenas have spent the last 25 years extensively mapping their estate vineyards in order to discover these lots. The discovery and meticulous nurturing of these special rows gave birth to the Catena Alta wines. Each lot is farmed and vinified separately in order to showcase its unique expression. When brought together, each adds an individual element to the overall complexity of the final wine. Catena Alta is made from a limited production of single varietal wines from historic rows, or lots, in the Catena family’s high-altitude estate vineyards.

Catena Zapata - Even with the national acclaim of the Catena Alta wines, Nicolás still yearned to make wines that could stand with the world’s greats. To do this, he knew he needed to grow fruit of unprecedented quality, with a level of concentration, complexity and balance never before seen in Argentina. Once each specific lot was identified and its potential revealed through row-by-row micro-vinification, Nicolás developed a plant-by-plant selection through which he could further enhance the characteristics of each lot. Today the Zapata vines are specifically marked and meticulously cared for as the mother plants to the Zapata Four: Nicolás Catena Zapata, Malbec Argentino, Adrianna Malbec and Nicasia Malbec.

Alejandro Vigil is a graduate in agricultural engineering from the Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, where he went on to receive master’s degrees in both winemaking and irrigation management. He began his career in the National Agricultural Technology Institute, where he took over the Soil Analysis Department at the age of 28. Alejandro came to Catena Zapata in 2002 as head of Research & Development. In 2003 he joined the enology department, becoming the manager of the top wines. His strong scientific background led to important developments in both vineyard management and winemaking. Alejandro was named chief winemaker in July 2007. A naturally restless person, Alejandro strives to channel his creative energy into pushing the limits of conventional viticultural and winemaking wisdom. Always ready to try something new, full of endless experiments, Alejandro’s goal is to constantly increase his understanding of the unique terroir in Mendoza’s high-altitude desert oasis.

Remington-Mendoza
Laura Catena sits at a table with a glass of wine
Malbec Grapes
Alejandro Vigil (Chief Winemaker) and Laura Catena Tasting
Malbec Clone in La Piramide Vineyard
Nicolás Catena
Bodega Catena Zapata
Bodega Catena Zapata

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Winery Profile
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Acclaim
“This vintage exhibits a ripe character, but preserves its elegant attributes. A peppery nose shows light aromas of berries and herbs in the background. After a few minutes in the glass, savory notes give way to fruity flavors of sour cherry, red plum and cranberry. Oak spices softly mark the finish of this velvety Malbec.” – (Editors’ Choice) — acclaim for 2020 Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard River from Wine Enthusiast, Apr 2024
“Big cherry fruit with lots of red plums. Vibrant, fruity and crunchy, with a medium body and fresh tannins. Really juicy and bright.” — acclaim for 2022 D.V. Catena Tinto Historico Red Blend from James Suckling, Feb 2024
“Plenty of fruit with dark olives, white pepper, tamarind and lots of cherries. Fruity and juicy on the palate, showing a medium body and a firm, lightly chewy finish.” — acclaim for 2021 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon from James Suckling, Feb 2024
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