Bodega Catena Zapata is the name that redefined Argentine fine wine. Founded in 1902, the Mendoza-based estate came into global prominence under the leadership of Dr. Nicolás Catena Zapata, whose radical belief in the potential of high-altitude viticulture transformed Malbec from rustic table wine into a world-class varietal. Today, with Laura Catena at the helm, the family continues to craft wines of balance, site transparency, and timeless structure — guided by science, heritage, and a deep-rooted connection to the Andes.

The estate’s vineyards rise from 950 to 1,500 metres above sea level, spanning the regions of Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. Each parcel — from Adrianna Vineyard in Gualtallary to Nicasia, Angélica, and La Pirámide — offers distinct altitudes, soils, and microclimates. These conditions yield fruit with intense sunlight exposure, cool nights, and natural acidity, producing wines of freshness, complexity, and age-worthy detail. Sustainable and regenerative farming practices, combined with constant soil and clonal research, drive the work at every level.

In the winery, precision meets restraint. Fruit is hand-harvested, sorted, and fermented in small lots. Oak is used with care — mostly French, varying in size and toast — to shape rather than dominate. Wild ferments and extended ageing enhance texture and transparency. The Catena Zapata Institute, established by Laura Catena, furthers research into soil health, plant physiology, and climate resilience — elevating both the science and soul of Argentine winegrowing.

The wines are composed, structured, and luminous. Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino is deep and floral, with violet, dark plum, graphite, and polished tannins. Nicolás Catena Zapata, the flagship Bordeaux-style blend, is powerful yet refined — cassis, cedar, mountain herbs, and quiet gravitas. Adrianna Vineyard bottlings, particularly White Bones and White Stones Chardonnay, are electric — mineral, citrus-edged, and Burgundy in form, but distinctly Andean in energy. Across the range, the wines reflect clarity, altitude, and architectural grace.

What defines Catena Zapata is its vision — a winery that saw not just what Argentina was, but what it could become, and built that future through discipline, elevation, and depth.

These are wines drawn from rock and air — commanding, elegant, and crafted with the long breath of the mountains in every glass.