Visiting Catena Zapata

The Catena Zapata story begins in 1902, when Nicola Catena, an Italian immigrant from Le Marche, planted his first vines in Mendoza. Three generations later, his grandson Nicolás Catena Zapata revolutionized Argentine winemaking by betting on high-altitude vineyards when no one else dared. His decision to plant Adrianna Vineyard at 1,450 meters in the Andes foothills defined the identity of modern Argentine Malbec. His daughter Laura, a biologist and winemaker, leads today's third wave: scientific terroir research and single-vineyard wines now part of the world's fine wine canon.

Catena's vineyards stretch between 900 and 1,500 meters across five strategic estates. Adrianna Vineyard in Gualtallary (Uco Valley) is one of the most studied vineyards in the world: limestone soils over alluvial stones, 20°C day-night temperature swing, and a unique Andean light that produces soft tannins and singular aromas. Catena's philosophy is simple: the more extreme the altitude, the purer each parcel's expression.

Catena Zapata's main building, in Agrelo (Luján de Cuyo), is a Mayan pyramid built in 2001 by architect Pablo Sánchez Elía. Its three levels function by gravity, no pumps, preserving every grape's integrity. The underground cellars house thousands of French and American oak barrels. The tasting room at the summit opens 360° to the Andes — one of the most striking winery views in the world.

Catena Zapata was named New World Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast in 2009, the first non-European or North American winery to receive the distinction. Its wines consistently appear in the Top 100 of Wine Spectator, James Suckling and Robert Parker. Adrianna River Stones and Mundus Bacillus Terrae have received scores above 99 points in major global guides.