Information
Landmark: Bodega Catena ZapataCity: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Continent: South America
Bodega Catena Zapata, Mendoza, Argentina, South America
Overview
Bodega Catena Zapata ranks among Argentina’s most respected wineries, celebrated for rich, velvety Malbecs and a legacy that helped shape the nation’s wine industry.Bodega Catena Zapata sits in Luján de Cuyo, deep in Argentina’s Mendoza wine country, where the Andes rise sharply behind its vineyards; this family-owned winery has gained worldwide acclaim for its exceptional wines and bold, inventive methods.Bodega Catena Zapata, founded by Nicolás Catena Zapata in the 1980s, grew from a family that had been making wine for generations, long before the scent of fermenting grapes filled its first cellar.Nicolás, an agricultural engineer, helped reshape the winery and left his mark on Argentina’s wine industry, from the soil under the vines to the flavor in the glass.Nicolás dreamed of putting Malbec in the spotlight and proving to the world just how rich and complex Argentine wines could be, from their deep ruby color to the hint of blackberry on the nose.Under his leadership, the winery broke new ground with high‑altitude vineyards in the Andes, where crisp mountain air sharpened the grapes’ flavor, and its drive for quality and innovation shone through.The winery’s famed “Catena” Malbec shot to international fame, raising the bar for Argentine wine with its deep, ripe blackberry notes.Today, Nicolás’s daughter, Laura Catena, leads as Managing Director, carrying on the family’s mission to craft world-class wines-each bottle rich with the scent of ripe Mendoza grapes.Laura, a physician with roots in both science and wine, blends a crisp, modern precision with the family’s long-held winemaking traditions.Bodega Catena Zapata still leads the way in Malbec, crafting wines that capture Mendoza’s distinct soils and sun, along with the family’s unwavering passion for quality.Bodega Catena Zapata is celebrated for pioneering high-altitude winemaking, with vineyards climbing from 900 meters-where the air feels crisp and cool-up to 1,500 meters above sea level.Perched high in the mountains, the vineyards of Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley in Mendoza soak up crisp air and bright, steady sunlight, letting the grapes develop rich, intense flavors while holding on to their lively acidity.The Andes shape the wine’s character, with crisp mountain air and pure snowmelt lending a clean minerality and a quiet, graceful finish.The winery focuses on sustainable farming, tending the vines with care and letting the grapes speak for themselves through minimal intervention.This lets the true character of the grapes-and the land they’re grown on-come alive in the wine, from the hint of sun-warmed earth to the whisper of ripe fruit.Catena Zapata blends old-world methods with modern craft, hand-picking grapes, letting the wine flow gently by gravity, and aging it in fragrant French oak barrels to deepen its complexity and richness.Malbec is the winery’s star, proudly featured on its labels, but you’ll also find bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Syrah, and rich, carefully crafted blends.Among the winery’s standouts is the Catena Malbec, its flagship pour, bursting with ripe berry sweetness, a trace of warm spice, and the deep, inky hue of midnight.Catena Alta offers a premium range of wines-Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay-capturing the vibrant flavors of the estate’s highest vineyards, where cool mountain air sharpens every note.Catena Zapata Nicolás is a rich, elegant Malbec-crafted as the winery’s crowning achievement and named in honor of its founder, Nicolás Catena Zapata.Crafted from carefully chosen, low-yield grapes, it spends months resting in new French oak barrels, soaking up the warm scent of toasted wood.Bodega Catena Zapata’s estate features a bold, pyramid-like winery, its stone walls and sharp lines echoing the dramatic peaks of the Andes.Stone and wood form the structure, its warm tones and rough textures melting into the rugged slopes of the Andes.The architecture mirrors the winery’s bond with the land, capturing Mendoza’s rugged hills and sunlight in every curve, and shows its dedication to crafting wines that speak of this place alone.From the estate, the Andes rise sharp and blue against the sky, and visitors can’t help but pause to take it in-an image that lingers long after they leave.At Bodega Catena Zapata, guided tours lead guests through sunlit cellars and vine-covered grounds, where they hear the winery’s story, discover how each vintage is crafted, and glimpse the family’s enduring vision.Most tours take you past rows of sunlit vines, into the cool, oak-scented barrel rooms, and finish with a look at the winery’s inventive techniques and eco-friendly farming methods.The winery also has a cozy shop on-site, where you can pick up your favorite bottles and browse for unique wine-inspired gifts.At the winery’s tasting rooms, guests can savor a range of Catena Zapata wines in an elegant space, the air rich with the scent of oak, often paired with local cheeses, cured meats, and other Argentine treats.We can arrange private tastings for guests looking for a personal touch, complete with cheese pairings and rich, unhurried conversations about the wines.Catena Zapata often pairs its wines with dishes that showcase the heart of Argentine cooking-think smoky grilled meats, warm empanadas fresh from the oven, and rich, creamy local cheeses.At the winery’s restaurant, each plate pairs beautifully with the local vintages, letting you taste the region in every bite and turning the meal into a wine-and-dine experience you won’t forget.Bodega Catena Zapata’s wines have earned top marks year after year from leading international critics and glossy wine magazines.Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate, and other top publications have spotlighted its Malbecs, with many earning 90 points or more-some praised for their deep blackberry aroma.Many credit the winery with putting Argentine Malbec on the world stage, earning the country a place among top wine producers worldwide.If you’re visiting, you’ll find Bodega Catena Zapata in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, surrounded by rows of sunlit vineyards.Opening hours: The winery welcomes visitors for tours and tastings by appointment, so it’s best to book ahead-especially in the bustling harvest season when the air smells faintly of crushed grapes.You can reach Mendoza by plane, bus, or car, and the trip’s a breeze whether you’re stepping off a short flight or rolling in past rows of sunlit vineyards.It’s about a 45‑minute drive from Mendoza city, with vineyards rolling past your window on the way.In short, Bodega Catena Zapata stands as one of Argentina’s benchmark wineries, blending a rich family legacy with inventive winemaking and the charm of vineyards framed by the distant Andes.Wine lovers shouldn’t miss this spot-it pulls you into the craft of winemaking, from the scent of freshly crushed grapes to the taste of some of the world’s finest vintages.Whether you sip wine on weekends or study vintages like a craft, a trip to Catena Zapata will stay with you-the scent of oak barrels lingers long after you leave.
