Catena Zapata
The Bodega Catena Zapata is one of the most famous and renowned wineries in Argentina. Its headquarters is located in Mendoza, in one of the most suitable areas of the country for vine cultivation, and its history is closely linked to that of Argentine wine. It was founded in 1902 and has represented the pioneering spirit of the country's enology. It has also played a fundamental role in the rediscovery and enhancement of the Argentine territory and the Malbec grape variety, now an undisputed icon of the country's viticulture. The original core of the property consists of six historic vineyards, which still today provide superior quality grapes; Angélica, La Pirámide, Nicasia, Domingo, Adrianna, and Angélica Sur. Based on these vines, the fortune of the winery was built, which developed over the following decades to become a globally recognized brand.
The first innovations of the estate are credited to Nicolás Catena Zapata, who began managing the property in the mid-1960s. Until then, the wines of the wines were produced in old barrels and had an oxidative style. Thanks to his travels, Nicolás discovered the revolution of Californian wine in Napa Valley in the 1980s, with the use of temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and French oak barriques. He decided to bring the same practices to his estate, planting Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and working on a improvement of the selection of Malbec biotypes. In 1990, the first bottles of the new direction of the winery were released, with a style halfway between the Californian experience and the French tradition.
The second revolution introduced by Nicolás Catena Zapata concerned the choice of high altitude. When a French critic compared his wines to those of Languedoc, Nicolás understood that to produce more elegant reds, he needed to seek terroirs with a cool climate. He began planting new vineyards at altitudes between 900 and 1450 meters above sea level, in search of cooler temperatures and significant temperature variations between sunny days and cold nights. The air currents from the Andes chain helped keep the vines well-ventilated and cool down daytime temperatures. The wines were not only more refined and had higher acidity, but they also retained a more fragrant fruit and richer, more intense aromas. The latest innovation of the estate involved the management of individual vineyard parcels, aimed at enhancing the nuances of each single vineyard. The working method typical of Burgundy was adopted, based on the search for the best crus, with separate vinifications and enhancement of each single terroir. A process that further elevated the quality of the estate's wines.
The Bodega Catena Zapata is one of the most famous and renowned wineries in Argentina. Its headquarters is located in Mendoza, in one of the most suitable areas of the country for vine cultivation, and its history is closely linked to that of Argentine wine. It was founded in 1902 and has represented the pioneering spirit of the country's enology. It has also played a fundamental role in the rediscovery and enhancement of the Argentine territory and the Malbec grape variety, now an undisputed icon of the country's viticulture. The original core of the property consists of six historic vineyards, which still today provide superior quality grapes; Angélica, La Pirámide, Nicasia, Domingo, Adrianna, and Angélica Sur. Based on these vines, the fortune of the winery was built, which developed over the following decades to become a globally recognized brand.
The first innovations of the estate are credited to Nicolás Catena Zapata, who began managing the property in the mid-1960s. Until then, the wines of the wines were produced in old barrels and had an oxidative style. Thanks to his travels, Nicolás discovered the revolution of Californian wine in Napa Valley in the 1980s, with the use of temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and French oak barriques. He decided to bring the same practices to his estate, planting Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and working on a improvement of the selection of Malbec biotypes. In 1990, the first bottles of the new direction of the winery were released, with a style halfway between the Californian experience and the French tradition.
The second revolution introduced by Nicolás Catena Zapata concerned the choice of high altitude. When a French critic compared his wines to those of Languedoc, Nicolás understood that to produce more elegant reds, he needed to seek terroirs with a cool climate. He began planting new vineyards at altitudes between 900 and 1450 meters above sea level, in search of cooler temperatures and significant temperature variations between sunny days and cold nights. The air currents from the Andes chain helped keep the vines well-ventilated and cool down daytime temperatures. The wines were not only more refined and had higher acidity, but they also retained a more fragrant fruit and richer, more intense aromas. The latest innovation of the estate involved the management of individual vineyard parcels, aimed at enhancing the nuances of each single vineyard. The working method typical of Burgundy was adopted, based on the search for the best crus, with separate vinifications and enhancement of each single terroir. A process that further elevated the quality of the estate's wines.
