Adrianna Vineyard

Adrianna Vineyard occupies 12 to 17 hectares in the Gualtallary district of Valle de Uco, Mendoza, at an elevation of 1,450 meters (4,757 feet) above sea level. This extreme altitude, in combination with the district's position within Tupungato, makes it one of the highest commercial vineyards in Argentina. The site experiences an average temperature of 12.5°C (54.5°F) and a dramatic thermal amplitude of 14.3°C (57.7°F), creating the cool growing conditions Nicolás Catena Zapata sought when he planted the vineyard in 1992.

• Elevation: 1,450 meters (4,757 feet) in Gualtallary, Valle de Uco
• Average temperature 12.5°C with a thermal amplitude of 14.3°C
• Winkler classification between Zone 1 and Zone 2
• Multiple distinct parcels including Fortuna Terrae and River parcels

The vineyard's soils are alluvial and gravelly with a limestone topsoil rich in calcium carbonate deposits, a characteristic unique to the Uco Valley. These limestone-rich soils contribute the mineral tension and fresh fruit expression that define wines from Adrianna. Organic farming practices are implemented across the vineyard, and the Catena Institute of Wine conducts intensive research into microbial biodiversity on the site, making Adrianna one of the most studied vineyard properties in the world.

• Alluvial gravelly soil with calcium carbonate-rich limestone topsoil
• Limestone-driven minerality distinguishes Adrianna from lower-altitude Mendoza sites
• Organic farming practices applied throughout the vineyard
• Catena Institute research focuses on microbial biodiversity in the soil

Adrianna is planted to six varieties: Malbec, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Viognier, and Cabernet Franc. Malbec remains the flagship, producing wines with floral aromatics, fresh acidity, mineral tension, and structured tannins. The cool, high-altitude climate produces a style markedly different from lower-elevation Mendoza, with greater elegance and complexity. The distinct terroirs of the Fortuna Terrae and River parcels yield wines with individual character from within the same vineyard.

• Six varieties planted: Malbec, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Viognier, Cabernet Franc
• High-altitude Malbec shows floral, mineral-driven profile with fresh acidity
• Cool climate produces wines with greater elegance than lower-altitude Mendoza styles
• Fortuna Terrae and River parcels offer distinct terroir expressions within the vineyard

Nicolás Catena Zapata planted Adrianna Vineyard in 1992, specifically seeking Mendoza's coolest location for viticulture. He named the vineyard after his youngest daughter, Adrianna. The property quickly became a pioneer for high-altitude viticulture in Argentina, demonstrating the viability of extreme elevation growing. In 1997, Bodega Catena Zapata released the Nicolás Catena Zapata cuvée sourced from Adrianna, which became the first Argentine luxury wine exported globally. Today, the vineyard remains the sole domain of Bodega Catena Zapata and serves as the foundation for the winery's prestige tier wines.

• Planted 1992 by Nicolás Catena Zapata to locate Mendoza's coolest growing site
• Named after Nicolás Catena Zapata's youngest daughter
• 1997 vintage of Nicolás Catena Zapata was the first Argentine luxury wine exported globally
• Pioneer site demonstrating the viability of extreme-altitude viticulture in Argentina