Although the Catena Zapata is in Argentina, its roots lie in Italy. In the early 20th century, the Catena family fled the famine in Italy, settled in Argentina and established a vineyard. It has been handed down through the generations and has seen a number of experiments over time. Nicolas Catena was the first person to introduce European vine growing techniques to Argentina and was a trailblazer in the vinification of Malbec and growing vines at altitude. The domaine owes its sound reputation to the cultivation and vinification of top-flight Malbecs and its innovative high-altitude Chardonnay production.