It was in 1902 that Nicola Catena, an Italian emigré, planted his first plots of Malbec and founded Bodega Catena Zapata in the exceptional vineyards of Mendoza in Argentina. Nicola Catena had the intuition that Malbec, a grape variety used mainly in blends, could reveal all its aromatic complexity in this high-altitude vineyard.
Located in the Tupungato region of the Uco valley, the Bodega Catena Zapata vineyards now cover an area of 200 hectares. Benefiting from a cool climate due to the altitude (1,000 metres on average), prolonged sunshine and a wide variety of soils, the Bodega Catena Zapata vineyards produce wines of exceptional quality and elegance. While Malbec and Chardonnay are the dominant grape varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon and other local varieties such as Torrontes are also grown on the estate.
The history of Bodega Catena Zapata reflects the passion and commitment of a family constantly striving for excellence in the production of wines that express their terroir with authenticity and finesse.
Nicola Catena was a pioneer when he planted Malbec in this wine-growing area, and his grandson, Nicolás Catena Zapata, was equally innovative when he took over the family estate in the 1960s, aiming to breathe new life into Argentine wine production methods. Part of this revolution involved the search for new terroirs that could bring out the aromatic palette of each grape variety with finesse and excellence, like the Adrianna vineyard planted at an altitude of 1,500 metres and now recognised as one of Argentina's finest wines. The vinification facilities and methods have also been modernised, taking their inspiration from the vinification of Napa Valley wines.
Bodega Catena Zapata wines come from six historic vineyards: Angélica, La Pirámide, Nicasia, Domingo, Adrianna and Angélica Sur. They are aged in a superb Mayan-inspired winery at the foot of the Andes mountain range.
Bodega Catena Zapata's attention to the terroir and meticulous selection of young and historic vines have made it an international benchmark. Named "The Grand Cru of South America," Bodega Catena Zapata is recognised by critics for the extreme finesse and elegance of its wines.
