In general, the 2021 harvest year was cool and with slightly increased rains. We had an average of 15-20% less degree-days than in 2020, and the weather overall was a bit cooler than average. The yields for white varieties were low due to the October frost.
Vineyard
Gualtallary, Tupungato, 1600 m (5250 ft).
Type of Soil
Calcareous and rocky soil.
Vinification
Fermentation in clay amphoras for 12 days.
Wild yeast.
Aging
18 months in French oak with veil. 500 l barrels.
Alcohol: 12.5% vol
Acidity / pH: 8.5 / 3.0
Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil
Harvest Report 2022
2022 was an exceptional year from every possible qualitative standpoint. Throughout Mendoza, both in the Primera Zona (closer to Mendoza city) and in the Uco Valley, the wines have optimal acidity, great concentration and ripeness of polyphenols, and just-right (not too high) alcohol levels. Alejandro Vigil says: “This is the best year that
I have lived through.”
Vineyard
Gualtallary, Tupungato, 1470 m / 4,822 ft
High density vineyard (10.000 plants per hectare).
Type of Soil
Cabernet Franc: Calcareous, rocky soil.
Malbec: Calcareous, deep-calcareous, rocky soil.
Vinification
Fermentation in concrete, average temperature: 23º C (74° F). Cold maceration for 4 days, followed by a 40-day infusion with minimal movement. 40% whole bunch.
Aging
15 months in concrete.
Alcohol: 13.5% vol
Acidity / pH: 7.1 / 3.04
Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil
Harvest Report 2021
In general, the 2021 harvest year was cool and with slightly increased rains. We had an average of 15-20% less degree-days than in 2020, and the weather overall was a bit cooler than average. Yields for red varieties were normal, with excellent quality and healthy grapes.
Because of the cool climate the reds achieved great concentration and ripeness of the skins with moderate sugars and optimal acidity.
Vineyard
Los Chacayes, Tunuyán. 1.100 m / 3.608 ft
High density vineyard (7.000 plants per hectare).
Type of Soil
Alluvial with limestone.
Vinification
Fermentation in concrete, average temperature: 25º C / 77° F. Cold maceration for 5 days, followed by a 40-day infusion with minimal movement. 40% whole bunch.
Aging
15 months in concrete.
Alcohol: 13.5% vol
Acidity / pH: 6.5 / 3.04
Partner and Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil – Bodega Aleanna.
Harvest Report 2021
In general, the 2021 harvest year was cool and with slightly increased rains. We had an average of 15-20% less degree-days than in 2020, and the weather overall was a bit cooler than average.
Yields for red varieties were normal, with excellent quality and healthy grapes. Because of the cool climate the reds achieved great concentration and ripeness of the skins with moderate sugars and optimal acidity.
Vineyard
Gualtallary, Tupungato, 1470 m / 4,822 ft
High-density vineyard.
Type of Soil
Malbec: Sandy loam, with limestone base, rocky soil.
Cabernet Franc: Calcareous, rocky soil.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot: Deep sandy soil.
Vinification
Fermentation in concrete, average temperature: 22ºC / 72° F. Cold maceration for 5 days, followed by a 40-day infusion with minimal movement. 30% whole bunch.
Aging
16 months in concrete
Alcohol: 13.5% vol
Acidity / pH: 6.5 / 3.05
Partner and Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil – Bodega Aleanna.
Vineyard
Cordón El Cepillo, San Carlos, 1300 m / 4265 ft
High density vineyard (8.000 plants per hectare).
Type of Soil
Colluvial with marine limestone on the bottom.
Vinification
Fermentation in concrete, average temperature: 26ºC (79° F). Cold maceration for 5 days, followed by a 40-day infusion with minimal movement. 30% whole bunch.
Aging
15 months in concrete.
Alcohol: 13.5% vol
Acidity / pH: 6.53 / 3.30
Partner y Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil – Bodega Aleanna
Harvest Report 2021
In general, the 2021 harvest year was cool and with slightly increased rains. We had an average of 15-20% less degree-days than in 2020, and the weather overall was a bit cooler than average. Yields for red varieties were normal, with excellent quality and healthy grapes.
Because of the cool climate the reds achieved great concentration and ripeness of the skins with moderate sugars and optimal acidity.
Vineyard
Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo.
Altitude
Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo. 930 m / 3.051 ft
High density vineyard (10.000 plants per hectare).
Type of Soil
Clay.
Vinification
Fermentation in concrete at an average temperature of 23ºC / 73°F. Cold maceration for 3 days, followed by a 40-day infusion with minimal movement. 20% whole bunch.
Aging
15 months in concrete.
Alcohol: 13.5% vol
Acidity / pH: 6.4 / 3.05
Partner and Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil
Harvest Report 2021
In general, the 2021 harvest year was cool and with slightly increased rains. We had an average of 15-20% less degree-days than in 2020, and the weather overall was a bit cooler than average. Yields for red varieties were normal, with excellent quality and healthy grapes.
Because of the cool climate the reds achieved great concentration and ripeness of the skins with moderate sugars and optimal acidity.
Vineyard Ugarteche
Type of Soil
Clay
Vinification
In concrete pools. Wild yeast, max. temp. 18°C / 64°F for 40 days.
Aging
No oak. Unfiltered.
Alcohol: 12.5% vol Acidity / pH: 6 / 3.21
Partner and Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil – Bodega Aleanna
Vineyard
Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, 930 masl / 3051 ft. High density vineyard (10.000 plants per hectare).
Type of Soil
Clay
Vinification
Pressed and fermented in oak barrels. 10% new, 90% used.
Wild yeast.
Aging
15 months in French oak, 35% under veil. 250 It barrels.
Alcohol: 13.5% vol
Acidity / pH: 6.2 / 3.05
Partner and Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil – Bodega Aleanna
Harvest Report 2019
In general, the 2021 harvest year was cool and with slightly increased rains. We had an average ol 15-20% less degree-days than in 2020, and the weather overall was a bit cooler than average. The yields for white varieties were low due to the October frost.
Vineyard
Gualtallary, Tupungato, 1470 masl / 4822 ft.
Type of Soil
Deep-calcareous, rocky soil.
Vinification
In French oak barrels of 500 It. 35% new. Wild yeast, max. temp. 18°C / 64°F for 40 days.
Aging
12 months in French oak, under veil. 500 It barrels
Alcohol: 13.5% vol
Acidity / pH: 7.7 / 3.05
Partner and Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil – Bodega Aleanna
Harvest Report 2019
In general, the 2021 harvest year was cool and with slightly increased rains. We had an average of 15-20% less degree-days than in 2020, and the weather overall was a bit cooler than average. The yields for white varieties were low due to the October frost.
Vineyard
Syrah: Gualtallary, Tupungato, 1470 masl / 4822 ft
Viognier: Gualtallary, Tupungato, 1400 mas/ 4593 ft.
Type of Soil
Syrah: Calcareous.
Viognier: Deep-calcareous, rocky soil.
Fermentation: Wild yeast, max. temp. 28°C / 82°F for 15 days, with 20 days of maceration
Aging
16 months in 100-year-old foudre.
Alcohol: 13.5 % vol
Acidity / pH: 6.1 /3.03
Partner and Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil – Bodega Aleanna.
Harvest Report 2019
The summer of 2019 started with warmer than usual temperatures and then cooled off in February. Decreased snow in the winter months resulted in water shortages which led to overall yields being down 20-30%. The lack of summer rains resulted in perfectly healthy grapes. Winemakers can’t remember an earlier harvest vear. The cool climate areas at extreme high altitude in the Uco Valley are yielding beautifully concentrated wines with intense aromatics, optimal texture and structure, and high acidity (healthy levels of malic acid). Head winemaker Alejandro Vigil calls it one of the best vintages of the last 10 years.
Vineyard
Gualtallary, Tupungato. Altitude: 4,822 ft (1470 m) elevation.
Type of Soil
Deep-calcareous, rocky soil.
Vinification
Wild yeast, max. temperature 28°C / 82°F for 22 days, with 28 days of maceration. 5 different harvest times (5 weeks between the first and the last one).
Aging
15 months in 100-year-old foudre.
Alcohol: 13.5% vol
Acidity / pH: 6.1 / 3.03
Partner and Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil
Harvest Report 2019
The summer of 2019 started with warmer than usual temperatures and then cooled off in February. Decreased snow in the winter months resulted in water shortages which led to overall yields being down 20-30%. The lack of summer rains resulted in perfectly healthy grapes. Winemakers can’t remember an earlier harvest vear. The cool climate areas at extreme high altitude in the Uco Valley are yielding beautifully concentrated wines with intense aromatics, optimal texture and structure, and high acidity (healthy levels of malic acid). Head winemaker Alejandro Vigil calls it one of the best vintages of the last 10 years.
Vineyard
Bonarda: El Mirador, Rivadavia, 650 masl / 2132 ft
Cabernet Franc: Gualtallary, Tupungato, 1470 masl / 4822 ft
Type of Soil
Bonarda: Sandy.
Cabernet Franc: Deep-calcareous, rocky soil.
Vinification
Wild yeast, max. temp. 28°C / 82°F for 15 days, with 25 days of maceration. French oak barrels, 2nd and 3rd use.
Aging
15 months in 100-year-old foudre.
Alcohol: 13.5 % vol
Acidity / pH: 5.8 / 3.03
Partner and Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil – Bodega Aleanna.
Harvest Report 2019
The summer of 2019 started with warmer than usual temperatures and then cooled off in February. Decreased snow in the winter months resulted in water shortages which led to overall yields being down 20-30%. The lack of summer rains resulted in perfectly healthy grapes.
Vineyard
Gualtallary, Tupungato, 1470 masl / 4822 ft
Type of Soil
Deep-calcareous, rocky soil.
Vinification
Wild yeast, max. temp. 29°C / 84°F for 20 days, with 30 days of maceration.
Aging
15 months in 100-year-old foudre.
Alcohol: 13.5% vol
Acidity / pH: 6.1 / 3.02
Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil
Harvest Report 2019
The summer of 2019 started with warmer than usual temperatures and then cooled off in February. Decreased snow in the winter months resulted in water shortages which led to overall yields being down 20-30%. The lack of summer rains resulted in perfectly healthy grapes. Winemakers can’t remember an earlier harvest vear. The cool climate areas at extreme high altitude in the Uco Valley are yielding beautifully concentrated wines with intense aromatics, optimal texture and structure, and high acidity (healthy levels of malic acid). Head winemaker Alejandro Vigil calls it one of the best vintages of the last 10 years.
Vinevard
El Mirador, Rivadavia, 650 masl / 2132 ft.
Type of Soil
Clay, rocky soil.
Vinification
Wild yeast, max. temp. 26°C for 15 days, with 25 days of maceration.
Aging
12 months in foudre.
Alcohol: 13.5% vol
Acidity / pH: 6 / 3.03
Partner and Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil – Bodega Aleanna
Harvest Report 2019
Dry weather (precipitations 20-60% lower than usual), small berries and slightly lower vields: cooler temperatures overall. The 2019 harvest happened about 1-3 weeks earlier than usual, and the grapes were in pristine condition with not a drop of botrytis or downy mildew.
Vineyard
La Esperanza, San Martín, 650 masl / 2132 ft.
Type of Soil
Sandy soil.
Vinification
Wild yeast, max. temp. 28°C / 82°F for 15 days, with 25 davs of maceration.
Aging
12 months in foudre.
Alcohol: 13.5 % vol
Aciditv / oH. 5.9 / 3.3
Partner and Winemaker: Aleiandro Vigil – Bodega Aleanna
Harvest Report 2019
Dry weather (precipitations 20-60% lower than usual), small berries and slightly lower vields; cooler temperatures overall. The 2019 harvest happened about 1-3 weeks earlier than usual, and the grapes were in pristine condition with not a drop of botrvtis or downy mildew.
Vineyard
El Mirador, Rivadavia, 650 masl / 2132 ft.
Type of Soil
Sand, deep clay.
Vinification
Wild yeast, max. temp. 28°C / 82°F for 15 days, with 25 days of maceration.
Aging
12 months in foudre.
Alcohol: 13.5 % vol
Acidity / pH: 6 /3.03
Partner and Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil – Bodega Aleanna
Harvest Report 2019
Dry weather (precipitations 20-60% lower than usual), small berries and slightly lower vields; cooler temperatures overall. The 2019 harvest happened about 1-3 weeks earlier than usual, and the grapes were in pristine condition with not a drop of botrytis or downy mildew.
Vineyard
El Barranco, Junin, 650 masl / 2132 ft.
Type of Soil
Sand and river stones.
Vinification
Wild yeast, max. temp. 28°C / 82°F for 15 days, with 25 days of maceration.
Aging
12 months in foudre.
Alcohol: 13.5% vol
Acidity / pH: 6 / 3.03
Partner and Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil – Bodega Aleanna.
Harvest Report 2019
Dr weather (precipitations 20-60% lower than usual), small berries and slightly lower yields; cooler temperatures overall. The 2019 harvest happened about 1-3 weeks earlier than usual, and the grapes were in pristine condition with not a drop of botrytis or downy mildew.
Adrianna grew up in Buenos Aires and later moved to California, graduating from UC Berkeley with highest honors and the Departmental Citation in History. She holds a Master’s and PhD from the University of Oxford, and has been awarded prestigious fellowships by the Clarendon Fund, Balliol College, and the Leverhulme Trust. As an historian, Adrianna specializes in the Early Modern Iberian Atlantic – the histories of trade, consumption, and material culture – from the Renaissance to 1800. Her research has focused on the textile sector, with an emphasis on dyes and dyers, the circulation of artisanal practices, knowledge, and expertise.
The youngest daughter of Nicolás Catena Zapata, she has lived and breathed wine since childhood. Today, Adrianna blends her experience in Academia with her passion for Viticulture and Winemaking, dividing her time between El Enemigo Wines and Catena Zapata. She lives between London and Mendoza, Argentina with her husband and two sons.
Alejandro Vigil was the “enfant terrible” of his family. He left school at the age of 14 to join a wine cooperative but chose to continue studying at night so as not to upset his mother. He graduated top of his class in agricultural engineering and, at 27, became head of the soils division for the National Research Institute (INTA).
Alejandro has been Chief Winemaker of Bodega Catena Zapata since 2002, receiving the first 100 point score awarded to a South American wine by Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate (CZ River Stones 2016), and the highest rating ever given to a pure Cabernet Franc (Gran Enemigo Gualtallary 2013). He also holds the first 100pt. score for an Argentine Chardonnay from James Suckling (CZ White Bones 2018).
Alejandro lives with his wife and children in what he likes to call The Republic of Chachingo: a rural village in Mendoza where neighbors make wine together and farm the land collectively.
