Dr. Laura Catena is a fourth-generation Argentine vintner, physician, and author, renowned for her pivotal role in elevating Argentine wine, particularly Malbec, on the global stage. Born in Mendoza in 1967, she is the daughter of Nicolás Catena Zapata, a key figure in modernizing Argentina's wine industry.
Catena pursued her undergraduate studies in biology at Harvard University, graduating magna cum laude in 1988, and earned her medical degree from Stanford University. Balancing her passions, she has maintained a dual career as an emergency physician in San Francisco and as the managing director of Bodega Catena Zapata, her family's historic winery founded in 1902. In addition to leading Catena Zapata, she established her own labels, Luca and La Posta, and co-founded Domaine Nico, a winery specializing in high-altitude Pinot Noir.
In 1995, Catena founded the Catena Institute of Wine, aiming to advance viticultural research and preserve Argentina's rich winemaking heritage. Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including being named "Woman of the Year" by The Drinks Business Awards in 2022 and receiving the "Old Vine Hero Award" in 2023 for her commitment to preserving old vine Malbec. In 2023, she was appointed Honorary President of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET).
An accomplished author, Catena has penned several books, including "Vino Argentino," "Gold in the Vineyards," and "Malbec Mon Amour," co-authored with winemaker Alejandro Vigil. Her multifaceted career and dedication to both medicine and winemaking have solidified her reputation as a leading figure in the global wine community.
