Bodega Catena Zapata : Adrianna "White Bones" Chardonnay 2023

An Exceptional High-Altitude Mendoza Chardonnay

The Estate

Founded in 1902 by Italian immigrant Nicola Catena, Bodega Catena Zapata spans six historic vineyards in Mendoza, including the prestigious Adrianna, which reaches 1,450 meters in altitude. Today run by Nicolás Catena Zapata and his daughter Laura Catena, this family estate revolutionized Argentine viticulture by resurrecting Malbec and developing high-altitude winemaking. Its Mayan pyramid architecture and scientific approach via the Catena Institute of Wine set it apart. Voted "World's Best Vineyards" in 2023.

The Vineyard

Adrianna "White Bones" covers 2.2 hectares in the Gualtallary district of Mendoza’s Uco Valley in Argentina. Perched at 1,450 meters, this exceptional terroir takes its name from its unique soil composed of alluvial deposits, limestone and fossilized animal bones—remnants of an ancient river. The high-altitude climate generates day-night temperature swings of 15 to 20 °C, with cool nights and intense sunshine.

The Vintage

The 2023 vintage was marked by spring frosts in October and November that reduced yields. The very dry and slightly warmer-than-normal conditions led to early harvests, with picking carried out 2 to 4 weeks earlier than usual. These conditions gave rise to elegant wines endowed with high natural acidity and powerful minerality.

Winemaking and Aging

The Adrianna "White Bones" Chardonnay 2023 undergoes cold settling for 10 to 24 hours at below 6 °C, followed by a long fermentation of 45 to 95 days. The aging of this Mendoza wine extends over 12 to 16 months in second-, third- and fourth-use French oak barrels, preserving the purity of the fruit and the expression of the terroir.

Grape Variety

This Adrianna "White Bones" 2023 from Bodega Catena Zapata is 100 % Chardonnay.