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WINES OF ARGENTINA
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Bodega Catena Zapata
Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza Province
In 1902, Nicola Catena, an Italian immigrant, planted his first Malbec vineyard in Mendoza, Argentina.
Nicola’s son, Domingo, continued his father’s dream. He passionately believed that Argentine Malbec could
stand with the best wines in the world. Now in its third generation, the winery is one of the few family-
owned wine companies in Argentina that remains in Argentine hands. Owned today by Nicolás Catena
Zapata and his daughter, Dr. Laura Catena, a Harvard and Stanford-educated physician, 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 Catena Zapata is recognized for changing the history of Argentine wine
when he dared to believe that a wine could be made in Mendoza that would stand with the best in the
world. In the 1980s, Nicolás was the first to recognize the potential of Mendoza’s high-altitude Malbec.
In search of concentration and ageability, he explored the rocky soils of the cooler Andean foothills and
planted vines at almost 5,000 feet above sea level, where no one thought they would ripen. Today the
Catena family still maintains the highest-elevation Malbec vineyard in Mendoza: the Adrianna Vineyard
in Gualtallary.
Nicolás’ passion and perseverance has resulted in Argentina’s first internationally renowned Malbec
and has garnered acclaim for the quiet revolutionary spirit he embodies. Nicolás was the first South
American man to be awarded Decanter magazine’s Man of the Year award in 2009 and he received the
Wine Spectator Distinguished Service award in 2012, in recognition of his pioneering work in modernizing
viticulture and winemaking in Argentina. Nicolás’ vision led to Catena being the first Argentine wine to
receive over 90 points from Wine Spectator (1994) and 98+ points from Robert Parker (2006). Today,
Catena Zapata wines consistently receive high acclaim and are thus sought after by collectors and
connoisseurs from around the globe.
Nicolás is joined by his daughter, Laura, who continues the family’s tradition and relentless pursuit of
world-class quality from the family’s high-altitude vineyards: Angélica, Adrianna, Nicasia, Domingo
and La Pirámide. Laura combines her strong science background with a passion for understanding the
characteristics of each row and each plant. As head of Bodega Catena Zapata’s research department,
now formally known as the Catena Institute of Wine, Laura has led extensive studies on soil and climate,
sustainable viticulture and high-altitude winemaking. Laura has traveled the globe to lecture on Argentine
wines and viticulture, and authored the first book about Argentine wine by a U.S. publisher: “Vino
Argentino: An Insider’s Guide to the Wines and Wine Country of Argentina” (Chronicle Books, 2010).
Constantly pushing the viticulture envelope, Nicolás and Laura have identified Mendoza’s best
microclimates, selected the highest-quality Malbec vines and pioneered viticulture in undiscovered
regions. Nicolás and Laura have a deep commitment to the welfare of their native Argentina, which is
why they have invested in the Catena Institute of Wine. The Catena Institute has led an effort in Argentina
to define the Appellations of Mendoza and create a sustainability certification for the region. Catena has
collaborated with the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, University of California-Davis, and Université de
Montpellier in research aimed at improving the quality of Argentine wine.
The Catena Zapata family’s mission is to make profound and unforgettable wines; wines that reflect the
special character of each vine within the family’s historic vineyards. Head winemaker Alejandro Vigil has
been at Catena Zapata since 2002 and works with Nicolás and Laura to make wines that retain the style
and expressivity of the family’s vineyards and palate.