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.
Dr. Nicolás Catena Zapata revolutionized Argentine wine in the 1980s by exploring extreme high-altitude terroirs in the Andean foothills of Mendoza. He discovered their potential for producing wines—Malbec in particular—that could stand with the best in the world. In the mid-1990s, Nicolás was joined by his daughter, Dr. Laura Catena.
Today, the Catena Family holds more 100-point wine ratings than any other winery in South America and has received numerous “best winery” awards from wine publications worldwide. Catena is certified Sustainable by Bodegas de Argentina and conducts extensive research on soil, terroir, and ancient clones.
Location of Vineyard
Mendoza is Argentina’s largest and most well-known winemaking region. About 80 percent of Argentina’s wine is produced in Mendoza, which contains more vineyard acreage than the regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Napa Valley combined.
Since the 1980s, Mendoza has become a leader in producing outstanding wines, largely thanks to economist and winemaker Nicolás Catena. He spearheaded the push for investment and research to improve Argentine wine quality and helped establish Malbec as Argentina’s signature grape. It was initially used as a blending grape in southwest France and was prominent in Bordeaux blends prior to the nineteenth-century phylloxera epidemic. It was primarily replaced with replantings of Merlot in Bordeaux and found its true home in Mendoza.
Winemaking and Viticulture Philosophy
Alejandro Vigil has Master’s Degrees in both Winemaking and Irrigation Management from Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. He began his professional career at the National Agricultural Technology Institute, taking over the Soil Analysis Department at 28 years old. Alejandro has been Chief Winemaker of Bodega Catena Zapata since 2002, receiving the first 100-point score awarded to a South American wine by Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate and the first 100-point score for an Argentine Chardonnay from James Suckling. He has been recognized as Winemaker of the Year by Tim Atkin and is president of Wines of Argentina.
Winery Profile
Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil
Total acreage under vine: 900
Founded: 1902
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