If you have an appreciation for wine or enjoy a good story then this one is for you. Catena Zapata is the oldest Argentine family winery, founded in 1902. Their wines have more 100-point wine ratings than any other wine in South America. In 2023, Catena Wines was selected as the #1 World’s Best Vineyard. Among a ranking of the 50 best in the world, they stood out for their exceptional excellence. This opportunity comes around once and the winery certainly deserves the accolades earned. In January 2024, Laura Catena’s Domaine Nico Soeur et Frères La Savante Pinot Noir was named in the Wall Street Journal’s list of “Fantastic Wines We Should Know” and wine lovers everywhere are singing their praises.
Dr. Laura Catena left Argentina to establish herself in the U.S. and attended Harvard, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a medical degree. She fell in love with wine during a trip to Bordeaux, France with her father. The wine became more than a beverage, it was educational and purposeful. Laura decided to tap into her passion and help take her father’s vision of 30 years to create iconic wines. She is a 4th generation vintner and oversees the operations, as Managing Director of Catena Zapata in Mendoza.
AW sat down with Laura for a lengthy interview. She was gracious and kind, as she shared the details of her story. We discussed her journey, her rich family history, how she managed the pivot from medicine to vintner, and lessons learned along the way. She even gave us her favorite wine recommendations!
Laura, you made the unconventional work for you. You took on some challenges by wearing different hats on this journey. Would you agree? Yes! I look back and think, “How did I manage to be a practicing emergency room doctor and run this winery?” I believe that, as humans, we rise to the occasion or at least we try, which is what I did. I never lost a shift at the hospital but there were close calls. When you are doing so many things, sometimes you tend to forget something, I have missed a few flights!
A major challenge we encounter in business is figuring out what the world needs and then creating it. I never thought to connect medicine and wine, they are very different worlds. Can you recall your thought process, as you prepared to make the pivot? I performed at both careers for a very long time and people at the winery knew not to call me during the day when I was at the hospital. I worked at the hospital and winery for 25+ years because there was much love for both. This was unsustainable, if you run a business you know that you have to be available at all times whether on vacation, weekends, or nights. I took my time deciding because I love being a doctor but also fell in love with wine, as a consumer. I enjoyed tastings, learning the history of wine, where it came from, and the family’s story, it’s all so interesting. I went into wine to help my father but caught the wine bug.
You took calculated risks and went where you saw a need. Among them, you used a science background to elevate wine, and books to raise awareness about the quality and character of high-altitude Argentine wine. Your current passion is teaching the wine trade and wine lovers how to drink in moderation. Why is using medicine to educate people and the wine industry important to you? Moderation is very important. As an emergency physician, I saw a lot of alcoholism and accidents that happened because of drunk driving. One day, I approached my father and asked him “I am a little worried about our family business. How do you feel about making this thing that is good for many people but also causes some harm?” My father says, “Laurita, you have nothing to worry about. At Catena, we make fine wine and there are no fine wine alcoholics.” I think there is some truth to his statement. The more you are into the history and taste, sipping it slowly with food, the more moderation becomes part of your culture. In Argentine culture, it is unacceptable to get drunk. People tend to drink in moderation as part of the cultural norm. One of the rules at every tasting is to explain moderation and how to consume healthily.
Catena wines are among the world’s most highly rated. In a male-dominated industry, you have delivered huge wins along with your team. What has been the greatest lesson you’ve learned while working in a heavily male environment? I came into the wine industry from medicine, a profession that is coed. I was accustomed to being at the same level as men in my profession but in the wine industry, it was mostly men. My father was a big part of why, I felt supported. He grew up with a strong woman and my mom is also a tough woman who owns her own company. For my father, it was a natural choice to have me run the company. It was a novel idea during a time when there weren’t female CEOs in Argentina running wine businesses and few around the world. Circumstances today are different, there are plenty of family wineries with daughters. Oftentimes, the women are more likely interested in the family wine business than the sons. For example, the Antinori Family consists of three sisters, and it’s the women running things.
What have you learned about yourself? Coed groups are great, we can work well together. I like mentoring men and women but do take a little extra care with women. I try to make sure to give them everything, I can teach because they are going to encounter different experiences than men.
Women have been trained to be followers, fortunately, things are slowly changing but there is still a lot of work to do. Being the first to do anything takes faith and courage. Can you offer advice to anyone looking to transition or do something different in their life? I read a cool book about the creative process that teaches a simple technique. It can probably be used in anything you are trying to do.
- Study and gather your thoughts.
- Do your research.
- Develop knowledge.
I carry around this book and write my ideas. Sometimes, I wake up in the middle of the night and jot ideas down. Once they are on paper, I leave it and go do something else. I may go hiking, take a vacation, and not think about it at all. Once, I get back to the ideas, then I begin putting the pieces together.
The other suggestion is to practice the thing, you think you want to do. See what the work is really about before leaving your current position. All these actions can help you figure out if this is something you are passionate about. Lastly, I’d say to make sure your heart is satisfied with what you are committing to full-time.
AW likes to end interviews with a message, quote, or mantra. We have some wine lovers in our community. Can you offer your best or favorite recommendations for a red and white wine from Catena?
- Nicolás Catena Zapata, named after my father. It is a Malbec with Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine has the power of a Cabernet Sauvignon with the velvety tannins of a Malbec. I’d describe it as the perfect wine. It’s elegant, rich, smooth, and ages well. Great to collect, as a gift, special occasion, or for the holidays.
- Catena Alta Chardonnay is a white wine with minerality from the high altitude but also has a creaminess. It is great with scallops, and risotto and has a touch of oak to make it delicious but not too much. This is a wine you can take to any party and it’s gone right away!
AW is grateful to Laura for giving us a glimpse into her journey. She is a beautiful example of what is possible when we remove self-limiting beliefs. You don’t have to be any one thing, instead unleash your limitless power. Dare yourself to do things differently, and stand out in the crowd. Nothing more fun than blazing your trail!
You can find Catena Wines at Total Wines, Vivino, Costco, and Wine.com. Laura’s books can be found on Amazon.com. Learn more about Laura or their family business on Instagram @lauracatenamd or @catenawines
Listen to the AW Confidential Podcast on all streaming services. You can also watch this episode AW Confidential YouTube to enjoy all the side chats during the interview.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
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