| Region of production: | Mendoza IG |
| Winery Location: | Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza |
| Year Established: | 1902 |
Vineyard Holdings
65 ha
520 ha
- Adrianna (120 ha): Gualtallary, Tupungato IG. Malbec, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Viognier, and Cabernet Franc on gravelly alluvial soils with calcareous topsoil at 1,450 meters in elevation. Planted in 1992.
- La Pirámide (105 ha): Agrelo IG. Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot on loamy alluvial soils at 950 meters in elevation. Planted in 1983.
- Nicasia (40 ha): La Consulta IG. Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Syrah on shallow loamy soils at 1,095 meters in elevation. Planted in 1996.
- Angelica (80 ha): Lunlunta IG. Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon on loamy clay soils at 920 meters in elevation. Planted around 1930.
- Angelica Sur (140 ha): El Cepillo, San Carlos IG. Malbec, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc on loamy alluvial soils at 1,090 meters in elevation. Planted in 2005.
Top Wines Produced & Inaugural Vintages
- Malbec Argentino (Mendoza IG): 100% Malbec from old vines in the Nicasia and Angelica Vineyards. Fermented 20% whole cluster and the rest whole berry in 100% new French oak barrels. Inaugural vintage 2004.
- Nicasia Vineyard Malbec (Valle de Uco IG): 100% Malbec. Fermented 10% whole cluster and the rest whole berry in 100% new French oak barrels. Inaugural vintage 2004.
- Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae Malbec (Gualtallary, Tupungato IG): 100% Malbec. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels. Inaugural vintage 2011.
- Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae Malbec (Gualtallary, Tupungato IG): 100% Malbec. Aged 24 months in French oak barrels. Inaugural vintage 2012.
- Adrianna Vineyard River Stones Malbec (Gualtallary, Tupungato IG): 100% Malbec. Aged 24 months in French oak barrels. Inaugural vintage 2012.
- Catena Alta Historic Rows Malbec (Mendoza IG): 100% Malbec. Harvested from estate vineyards. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels. Inaugural vintage 1996.
Average Total Production
- N/A
Summary
Nicola Catena immigrated to Argentina from Italy in 1898, planting his first Malbec vines in Mendoza only four years later. His son Domingo later inherited the family business, expanding vineyard holdings and navigating the political and financial challenges of the mid-20th century. Domingo’s son, Nicolás, shifted the business’s attention from bulk to fine wine production after witnessing California’s rapidly evolving wine industry while working in the economics department at UC Berkeley. Nicolás sought out and planted new vineyard sites in the Uco Valley, focused on exporting, and created new fine wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Chardonnay. Nicolás’ daughter Laura, a pediatric surgeon, serves as managing director today. Catena Zapata also operates a research center, the Catena Institute, in conjunction with UC Davis.
Style & Vinification Techniques
Catena Zapata keeps all destemmed fruit whole to extend fermentation times. Top wines are fermented with indigenous yeasts and bottled unfined and unfiltered, with fermentations taking place in new French oak barrels ranging from 225 to 500 liters in size.
Producer Website: Catena Zapata