Ep 181: Laura Catena, The Leading Lady of Argentine Wine

The first in a series for Women's History Month, I speak to Laura Catena of Bodegas Catena Zapata in Mendoza, Argentina. We discuss her life as a doctor, a mom, and the head of a wine empire, the history of Malbec and how her family aided the meteoric rise of Argentine wine and of the comeback of the Malbec grape around the world. 

A fun, sharp-as-a-tack woman, you'll learn a ton about Malbec, Mendoza, and a few life lessons from this fascinating podcast! 

Laura’s History and Background on the Catena Family

• Her life as a doctor and the bridge between medicine and wine
• Her career pivot to the wine and becoming “the wine doctor” for her country and family
• Historical perspective
  • The Catena family history in wine
  • The history with Malbec and history of Catena and Malbec
• Her dad and her homage to him: his pride of country and why he has been so successful

Malbec and it’s Rich History

• Malbec Studies
  • Pre-phylloxera clippings
  • Flavors based on altitude/studies on altitude
  • The sides of Malbec: the agebility factor, and the evolution of the grape
  • Old v New vines: the real differences
    • Luca: Laura’s own project of all old vine wine, managed separately and small and how it fosters Argentinean pride

Laura’s Advice on Doing it All

• How she handles being a mom, a doctor, and running a major wine company
  • The power of the B+
  • The balance of kids and work and life advice on spouses, marriage, and kids

Making Wine in Mendoza

• High altitude growing and Catena’s role: Argentina has distinctive regions – b/c of the altitude huge variations in climates, move faster from warmer to colder
• Nicolas’s (her dad’s) altitude bet and its payoff – combination, altitude, latitude, plant material
• Sub-regions:
  • Lujan de Cuyo= old vines, clay soils, makes some good stuff
  • Uco Valley = Key region for quality
    • Sub-regions: Tupungato, Alta Mira, La Consulta, Gualtallary

The Wine Culture of Argentina and the Wines of Catena

• Alamos: Gallo family’s distribution and the benefits of the relationship for the Catenas. The importance of keeping the small producers alive. The paradox of being big and supporting small producers
• Lafite-Rothschild and Catena: Bodegas CARO wines
• Luca: Laura’s project
• Bodega Catena Zapata
  • Catena – classic Malbec, $20
  • Catena Alta – historic rows of vines
  • Catena Zapata/Adrianna Vineyards – small parcels, harvest plant by plant, hand harvested