Mendoza,
Argentina
Winery Overview
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, Bodega 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 exported 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.
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 Bastillas, 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, Bodega 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. Catena’s team of winemakers blends historic lots from the family’s estate
vineyards in order to craft the Catena Alta wines. The use of precision viticulture allows each lot within the vineyard
to be cultivated specifically based on its characteristics and microclimate. Blending lots makes a more concentrated
and complex wine.
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 with a red ribbon and meticulously cared for.
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 Bodega 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. Always ready to try
something new and full of endless experiments, Alejandro’s goal is to constantly increase his understanding of the
unique
terroir
in Mendoza’s high altitude desert oasis.
