Catena Zapata

Located high up in the Andean highlands, the vast surroundings of Mendoza offer a unique viticultural landscape: an ocean of vines stretching as far as the eye can see, with the high snow-capped peaks of the Andes forming the border with Chile as the horizon. This province is considered to be the most favourable for vine growing. This region is home to 75% of Argentina's vineyards due to its continental climate, which is very hot and dry in summer, with large temperature swings due to the altitude, and harsh winters.

This is where Bodega Cantena Zapata has several vineyards, perched between 600 and 1500 metres above sea level in the foothills of the Andes! High altitude vineyards that culminate in a unique and grandiose space, ideal for producing equally exceptional wines!

The story of a pioneering family in the excellence of South American wines

Located in the foothills of the Andes for over a century, Bodega Zapata marks a turning point in the tradition of Argentine wines. Founded in 1902 in the region of Lujan de Cuyo, a few kilometres from Mendoza, following the immigration of the Italian Catena family, the winery was at the origin of an upheaval in the culture of South American vineyards.

It is especially from 1963 onwards that Nicolas Catena, grandson of the founder, and Domingo Catena, the eldest son, developed the estate to the full. While Latin America was going through a severe economic crisis in the 1960s, the Catena family was not spared and went through very difficult times, sometimes being forced to harvest at a loss. However, Nicolas Catena began to actively take care of the estate and to develop the distribution of the wines within Argentina. The economic recovery of the 1970s enabled Bodega Catena Zapata to become one of the largest wine producers in the world in 1976.

Building on this success and ready to maintain their world-renowned level of excellence, the Catena family sought to modernise the vineyards and winemaking techniques, as well as to refine the combination of French, Italian and Californian grape varieties with the different Argentine soils. After a trip to California, Nicolas Catena observed the methods used in Napa Valley and was inspired by them.

It was then that he discovered that Malbec grape variety, almost forgotten by the rest of the world, was perfectly suited to the arid soils and high altitude climate of the Mendoza region. The research to produce a quality wine took about ten years. This grape variety produces fleshy, smooth red wines with warm aromas of very ripe fruit, spices and liquorice.

Currently managed by the third and fourth generations, the family estate also brilliantly perpetuates a tradition that goes back over a century.

With the creation of the Catena Institute, Laura Catena is committed to discovering the infinite secrets of the Mendoza terroir, a permanent investigation that extracts the quintessence of the family's know-how. Understanding the effects of the intensity of the light on the high altitude vineyards, selecting the best grape varieties... This research promises exceptional vintages for a wine already recognised throughout the world for its excellence.

The estate markets its wines under three labels: Alamos, Catena Zapata, Catena Alta. Concentrated, expressive and complex wines.

Symbolised by an iconic pyramid nestled in the foothills of the Andes, the estate now enjoys international recognition. This unusual architecture is reminiscent of the Mayan pyramids and is a tribute to the unique terroir born in the Andes. A source of pride for the family. More than a century after its foundation, the family's dream still lives on and they can only be proud of it!

Let yourself be seduced by these wines, full of elegance and character, from the purest heights of Argentina! Wines made for pleasure!