HARVEST REPORT - 2024

Prepared by Dr. Laura Catena, Chief Winemaker Alejandro Vigil and Viticulturist Luis Reginato

The 2024 vintage is the kind that growers and wine producers dream about. The weather was mild, and although overall mean temperatures were on the warm side, there were no heat spikes. Because the winter of 2023 was very wet and snowy, the Andes were covered in white throughout the season. This meant happy vines during the spring, and mild water stress (our dear vines don’t like excessive stress from drought). Also, because there was slightly increased ambient humidity, cool temperatures did not turn into damaging frosts. Whereas the 2023 vintage saw yields 30-50% lower than usual due to frosts, the 2024 vintage is looking to be at least 25% larger than 2023. The harvest was about 10-14 days later than last year, which means slow ripening and well-balanced wines.

Uco Valley - Gualtallary and El Cepillo: The Uco Valley districts of Gualtallary and El Cepillo saw cooler temperatures than lower altitude regions, which is consistent with our decades-long finding that this mountain terroir is not getting warmer with climate change.

Uco Valley (Altamira) and Luján de Cuyo: In Altamira and Luján de Cuyo the temperatures were warmer, and the wines will be riper for this season. We are lucky that this year's El Niño phenomenon, which caused torrential rains in the Northeast of Argentina and Buenos Aires, largely spared Mendoza. This mild weather has resulted in very aromatic, generous, and velvety wines.

High-altitude Chardonnay: The Chardonnays were harvested 1 to 2 weeks later than the average for previous years, and the wines, depending on the parcela, were characterized by herbal or rather floral/white fruit aromas prevalence. There is a marked vertical mouthfeel in the high-altitude whites from this vintage due to their high acidity levels.

High-altitude Malbec: Our high-altitude Malbecs maintained a great intensity of red fruit, and compared to previous years, floral aromas such as violets were more prominent. The alcohol levels were moderate, with an average of 13.2%, and the wines are showing beautiful freshness in the mouth and elegance, while also exhibiting a high concentration of color and tannins.

High-altitude Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc: As for the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, the harvesting times aligned with those of Malbec. The Cabs stand out for their acidity, spicy aromas, great intensity of black fruit, viscosity, and concentration in the mouth, which will allow us to obtain wines with high aging potential.

Sensometrics Methodology and Terroir Study of Argentine Malbec. The Catena Institute of Wine's collaboration with the Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza (IBAM) and UC Davis has yielded a groundbreaking study, 'Tracing the Origin of Argentine Malbec Wines by Sensometrics,' published in Nature Partner Journals (npj) Science of Food. This comprehensive sensory analysis of 29 parcelas across 13 ‘geographical indications’ (appellations) in Mendoza proposes a tool for articulating terroir's influence on Malbec's typicity and its dependence on varied soil conditions. By focusing on sensory attributes, the research offers a methodological innovation that allows us to classify parcelas based on their distinctive sensory profiles.

More info: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41538-024-00252-3

Investigating High-Altitude Vineyard Dynamics: Root Distribution and Phenolic Development in Malbec Grapes. Published in OENO One, this study by the Catena Institute of Wine and the Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza (IBAM) explores the effects of soil depth on vine behavior within two closely situated parcelas (30-50 meters apart) in a high-altitude Malbec vineyard. It provides a novel tool for evaluating contrasting potential parcelas with different soil profiles. The research found that shallow soils, subject to mild water stress, lead to higher fine root densities and enhanced phenolic compositions in grape skins. These findings highlight how minute variations in soil depth can significantly impact vine behavior and grape quality. By showing the marked presence of a taste of terroir in Mendoza, this study provides a significant contribution to the understanding of parcela-specific vine to flavor connections in high-altitude viticulture.

More info: https://oeno-one.eu/article/view/4917

Unveiling the Longevity of Mendoza Malbecs: A Detailed Study of Aromatic Evolution. Published in the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture (a joint study by the Catena Institute of Wine, IQUIR and UC Davis) this research analyzed regional Malbec wines from Mendoza and California, aged for seven years, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to trace the evolution of volatile components. The study highlights how distinct parcelas retain complex aromatic profiles over time, revealing sophisticated aging potentials that vary by soil type and vineyard management. These insights contribute to a broader understanding of parcela-specific characteristics that influence wine longevity and quality.

More info: https://www.ajevonline.org/content/74/1/0740019.abstract

Catena Announces Education Campaign to Promote Lighter Wine Bottles

Lighter bottles have a lower carbon footprint and are therefore better for the environment. Catena Appellation Malbec in a 45% lighter bottle will be sold in the USA (Winebow on-trade) and Holland (Gall and Gall off-trade) along with an education campaign for trade and consumers.

Glass Weight by the Numbers

The global industry average wine bottle weight is 550 grams empty.
- The Catena Family Winery’s bottles currently average 416 grams.
Catena is reducing the bottle weight of Catena Appellation Malbec from 700 to 380 grams in some markets.
- This results in an average CO2 emissions reduction of 21% before boat transport.
Catena High Mountain Vines Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon (all export markets) bottle weight is going from 700 to 500 grams, representing a 28% reduction.
The Catena Family Wineries averaged a 1,200 metric tons reduction of glass this year.
From 2008 to 2023 the Catena Family Wineries reduced 40% of their overall bottle weight.
In 2023 the Catena Family partnered with LSQA (a Uruguayan-Austrian Sustainability Certifying company based in Uruguay) to create a carbon calculator that can be used by Argentina’s wine industry. The Catena Family wineries will have their carbon emissions calculated and audited in 2024 and reduction goals will be established.

Carbon Footprint Reduction Sustainability Incentive

Bodega Catena Zapata

Bodega y Viñedos Catena

HARVEST REPORT - 2024

Catena Announces Education Campaign to Promote Lighter Wine Bottles

Lighter bottles have a lower carbon footprint and are therefore better for the environment. Catena Appellation Malbec in a 45% lighter bottle will be sold in the USA (Winebow on-trade) and Holland (Gall and Gall off-trade) along with an education campaign for trade and consumers.