Traditional Argentinian winery Catena Zapata in Mendoza was voted best in the world at the 2023 edition of the World’s Best Vineyards awards, held this Wednesday (12) in the Rioja wine region, Spain. However, Brazil remained outside of both the top 50 and top 100 lists.
The oldest family winery in Argentina, Zapata was founded in 1902 by Italian immigrant Nicola Catena. He was one of the pioneering proponents of Malbec in the country, although it was declining in popularity at the time. The grape is still one of the stars of the inhouse production.
According to the award, Catena Zapata excelled in producing good red, white and sparkling wines some of them of course focusing on a unique terroir and a blend of aromas and notes suitable for the cultivation at around 1,530 meters altitude in the Adrianna Vineyard are typical. .
You won’t know Argentine Malbec until you’ve tasted Catena Zapata. Thanks to the high setting, her wine is floral, beautiful and surprisingly light in colour. The winery also produces excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and native varietals.” Described the best vineyards in the world.
But not only drinks are considered in the selection. The entire range of experiences in the complexes is also evaluated from the accompanying meals to the accommodation of visitors and the tastings organized by the labels outside the vineyards. Already a trademark of Catena Zapata, the Mayan templeinspired pyramidshaped building has also turned it into a tourist attraction, which scored in its favor.
Catena Zapata, in Argentina Image: Playback/Instagram
In addition, The World’s Best Vineyards highlighted the richness of its guided tours, offered in three modes: “Family is everything”, which narrates the evolutionary process of the family’s oenology; “Blending Games”, an experience that turns the visitor into a winemaker for a day, and the “Wine and Music” tour, which offers a multisensory session where the wines are highlighted according to the surrounding sounds.
All these routes must be booked and planned before visiting. In 2023, Catena Zapata also opened its first restaurant, Angélica Cocina Maestra, in the La Pirámide vineyard, a special treat option for tourists.
The evolution of Catena Zapata
Over the years, Nicolás, the founder’s grandson, has grown into one of the most awarded winemakers and oenologists in the world, putting the country’s production on the international map. But who runs it today is doctor Laura Catena, who divides her time between providing emergency care in San Francisco and her work as an ambassador for Argentine wine. She works with chief winemaker Alejandro Vigil to produce wines from her family’s winery.
Laura, Nicolás’ daughter, changed the face of the company: she founded the Catena Institute of Wine, a center for detailed studies on the best viticulture techniques, which also developed sustainability codes for the country’s production and collaborates with the best universities around the world. world to improve knowledge in this field.
The prize podium
After Zapata, Spain and Chile completed the top 3. Bodegas de los Herederos del Marqués de Riscal in Rioja, which took second place overall, was also voted the best winery in all of Europe. Founded in 1858, the wine bottling process was introduced to the region that’s where the fashion of covering bottles with a golden mesh emerged.
Their wines were so popular in the early 20th century that they needed some sort of seal to guarantee their authenticity. The complex is still known today as a futuristic hotel designed by the renowned architect Frank Gehry and has 61 luxury rooms (10 of which are suites).
In third place was VIK, situated on a hill in the middle of a valley, with a privileged view of the Andes. Like the runnerup, the Chilean winery specializing in red and rosé wines has its own Frank Gehrydesigned hotel.
It is considered “visionary” due to its modern cultivation techniques and still offers a wide range of experiences with the possibility of bike tours through the vineyards, cooking and yoga classes, a wine spa and relaxation at the infinity pool.
The list of the 50 Best Wineries in the World was selected based on nominations from the World’s Best Vineyards Academy, which is made up of nearly 500 wine experts. To conduct the voting, the planet was divided into geographic regions, each headed by a member of the Academy who was responsible for recruiting a further 36 wine and travel professionals. Each jury evaluated a total of seven wineries. Meet the Top 50:
4th: Creation (South Africa)
5th: Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte (France)
6th: Bodega Garzon (Uruguay)
7th: Montes (Chile)
8th.: Johannisberg Castle (Germany)
9th: Bodegas Salentein (Argentina)
10th: El Enemigo Wines (Argentina)
11th: Rippon (New Zealand)
12th: winery dr Solve (Germany)
13th: Finca Victoria winemaker of the Durigutti family (Argentina)
14th: Domain Wachau (Austria)
15th: Quinta do Crasto (Portugal)
16th: Quinta do Noval (Portugal)
17th: d’Arenberg (Australia)
18th: Château d’Yquem (France)
19th: Chateau Pape Clément (France)
20th: Jordan Vineyard & Winery (US)
21st: González Byass Bodegas Tio Pepe (Spain)
22nd: Maison Ruinart (France)
23rd: Champagne Bollinger (France)
24th: Bodega Colome (Argentina)
25th: Alcohuaz Vineyards (Chile)
26th: Henschke (Australia)
27th: Retuerta Abbey (Spain)
28th: Brooks Wine (USA)
29th: Ceretto (Italy)
30th: Bodega Bouza (Uruguay)
31st: Champagne Billecart Salmon (France)
32nd: Winery Klein Constantia (South Africa)
33rd: Chateau Pichon Baron (France)
34th: Beaucastel Castle (France)
35th: Winery Szepsy (Hungary)
36th: Delaire Graff Estate (South Africa)
37th: Vina Casas del Bosque (Chile)
38th: Chateau Mercian Mariko Winery (Japan)
39th: Clos Apalta (Chile)
40th: Graham’s Port Lodge (Portugal)
41st: Chateau Kefraya (Lebanon)
42nd: Quinta do Seixo Sandeman (Portugal)
43: Viu Manent (Chile)
44th: Penfolds Magill Estate (Australia)
45th: Disznoko (Hungary)
46th: Veuve Cliquot (France)
47th: Mukhrani Castle (Georgia)
48th: Bodega Diamandes (Argentina)
49th: Bodegas Muga (Spain)
50th: Vina Errazuriz (Argentina)