The pyramids of the ancient Maya civilization were not merely tombs. The magnificent steppe structures were a sacred medium connecting the heavens and the earth, humans and gods, as well as the world above and the underworld. They served as spaces for religious ceremonies, tools for astronomical observation and measuring the passage of time, and symbols of royal authority and power. Their form and existence themselves symbolize cosmic harmony and order, instilling a sense of awe in those who behold them, representing the essence of Maya civilization.
The significance of the pyramid, endowed with mythical stature, does not remain confined to a distant and unfamiliar past. In Mendoza, Argentina, there is a uniquely impressive winery inspired by the Maya pyramids. It is called "Catena Zapata." The main building of the winery was completed in 2001, modeled after the pyramid of Tikal in Guatemala. Locally, it is often referred to as "the wine opera house of South America." The front of the building faces the Andes Mountains, visually expressing the identity of wine born from the Andes. It has established itself as a monument that declares the history, ambition, and pride of Argentine wine, going beyond merely being a wine production facility.
Catena Zapata was founded in 1902 by Nicolas Catena, an immigrant from Italy. The Catena family has operated it for four generations to this day. Catena studied economics at the University of California, Berkeley in his youth, witnessing the explosive growth of California's Napa wines. At that time, Argentine wines were perceived as inexpensive products for mass consumption, but his experience in California instilled in him the belief that Argentine wine could also stand at the global forefront.
After returning to Argentina, Catena boldly developed vineyards in the high-altitude regions of the Andes, reaching 1,000 to 1,500 meters, which others deemed impossible. This was a challenge against the prevailing notion that grape cultivation was only possible below 800 meters in altitude. He was not merely an imitator of European wine culture. Catena Zapata's challenge elevated the status of the entire Argentine wine industry beyond the success of a single winery. Following the establishment of high-altitude vineyards, similar experiments continued throughout Mendoza, and today Argentina has positioned itself as a representative premium wine region in South America alongside Chile.
Currently, Catena Zapata produces high-quality wines from six vineyards: Angélica, La Pirámide, Nicasia, Domingo, Adrianna, and Angélica Sur. Among them, the Adrianna vineyard is referred to as "the Grand Cru of South America" and has received high acclaim worldwide. Catena's achievements have been recognized internationally. The American wine publication Wine Enthusiast awarded him the "2021 Lifetime Achievement Award," making him the first to receive this award in South America.
The culmination of these innovations is the "Catena Malbec," which showcases the quality of Argentina's "national variety" Malbec to the world. Catena Malbec is made by blending grapes from three distinctly different regions in Mendoza: Adrianna (Gualtallary), Angélica (Lunlunta), and Angélica Sur (El Cepillo). The lively acidity and minerality from the high-altitude Adrianna vineyard (1,450 meters above sea level), the ripe fruitiness from the Lunlunta area Angélica vineyard, and the herbaceous and spicy nuances from the Angélica Sur vineyard are all balanced within a single bottle. The exact location, altitude, and various terroir attributes where the grapes are grown are all reflected, capturing the multifaceted allure of Argentine Malbec in balanced form.
The grapes are cold-soaked at 10°C for five days before fermenting for 12 days. An additional soaking period lasts for 19 to 22 days. The wine is aged in barrels for 12 months, selecting barrels aged one to three years that match the characteristics of the grapes.
Catena Malbec exhibits a deep purple color with a hint of bluish tint. The rich fruit aromas of well-ripened black cherry, red currant, and luscious blackberry harmonize with delicate floral scents and notes of vanilla and mocha. The palate is densely infused with sweet spices, tobacco, and a touch of leather, while smooth, fine tannins elegantly extend the wine's bright acidity and minerality.
The 2018 vintage scored 94 points from James Suckling, while the 2019 vintage received 92 points from Wine Advocate. Each vintage consistently earns stable scores in the 90s from major critics, leading to its reputation as "the most consistently highly-rated Malbec in the world." It also won the grand prize in the Korea Wine & Spirits Awards for the new world red wine institutional sector in 2025. The domestic importer is Shinsegae LNB.