“Nicolás Catena Zapata is a figure in Argentina of the stature of Robert Mondavi in Napa and Angelo Gaja in Piedmont. He inspired an entire region to strive for a higher level of quality by his successful exploration of high-altitude vineyards and rigorous clonal selection,” says Master Sommelier, Larry Stone.

The grandson of Italian immigrants, Dr. Nicolás Catena Zapata grew up working in the Catena family vineyards. He studied Economics at Columbia University and later, after visiting the Napa Valley during the early 1980s, he was inspired to start a wine revolution back in Argentina. He pioneered high-altitude viticulture and is responsible for the rebirth of the ancient Malbec variety in Argentina.